With Madrid effectively out of the running to win the La
Liga title, Juande Ramos' side have turned all their attentions to
ensuring they win at least one piece of silverware this
season.
And despite Liverpool's strong track record in Europe, Van der
Vaart believes Rafael Benitez side's nerves will get the better of
them next Wednesday.
"We're Real Madrid, which is why I think Liverpool are
frightened of us," he said. "We have great players - it's going to
be a great tie. The team is working hard to be in perfect
shape.
"We're anxious to do well in Europe and if we end up as
champions I will be capable of anything. I will do anything to win
the Champions League."
Aware of how eager Madrid will be to win their 10th European
Cup, Benitez will be putting his past experiences of La Liga to
good use.
"I've the experience of the duel we had with Barcelona. They
were the big favourites but we knocked them out," he told the
Mirror. "We didn't have luck
when the draw came out as we have different goals for the season
now. For Madrid, it's all about the Champions League. That is all
they have to win.
"We're still alive in the title race but what matters is the
condition of my players when the games come. Torres is still
getting back to his best form, while Steven Gerrard, who is to our
team what Raul is to Real, the emblem, is still recovering from a
hamstring injury.
"It's fair to compare Steven to Raul. Both are charismatic
players, with enormous hearts, whose personality makes a mark on
the rest of the team."
Raul became Real Madrid's all-time top scorer at the weekend
when he netted twice for the La Liga champions in their 4-0 victory
away to Sporting Gijon.
He moved one ahead of Alfredo di Stefano's tally of 307 when
Sergio Ramos crossed and he scored with a first time shot on the
half-volley. He also grabbed his 309th goal, and Real's fourth of
the day when Inaki Lafuente fumbled Gonzalo Higuain's shot leaving
Raul with a simple tap in near the end.
