Dismal domestic and Champions League campaigns have left Liverpool seeking Europa League salvation but they must first overturn a 1-0 semi-final first-leg deficit against Atletico Madrid tonight.
Poor form and injuries to key players like Spain striker Fernando Torres have ensured a season of unfulfilled ambitions so far at Anfield.
"I am confident. Anfield is massive and with the fans behind us we can beat anyone," Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez said.
The five times European champions, chasing their fourth UEFA/ Europa Cup, have twice progressed in the competition this season after losing first-leg ties against Lille and Benfica.
However, Atletico have their impressive scoring form away from home to thank for a last four berth. They have bagged six goals on their travels and only managed two at home in their two wins and five draws this season.
The Spanish side have a chance to finish their campaign on a high by appearing in two finals, having already booked themselves a King's Cup final date with Sevilla next month.
After laying on three assists in Sunday's 4-0 league win over relegated Burnley, rarely called-upon Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani could be used in a more attacking role.
"It is an option. He can play in both positions," Benitez said.
"In this position he has freedom and with Gerrard behind him they can pass to each other."
Labbadia decision
As preparation for today's semi-final goes, sacking your coach three days beforehand does not fit the norm yet Hamburg believed it was a decision that had to be taken ahead of their crunch second leg at Fulham.
Chastened by a 5-1 loss at Hoffenheim on Sunday and a league run which has seen four wins in 15 matches, the Hamburg board had had enough and Bruno Labbadia was shown the door days before the club's biggest match of the season.
The sacking was not that much of a surprise given the widely reported rumours that Labbadia had fallen out with a number of his squad including Ze Roberto, Mladen Petric, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Frank Rost.
The timing, however, was a shock.
Assistant coach Ricardo Moniz, dubbed a 'great motivator' by the club, was handed the task as stand-in coach of raising morale after the Hoffenheim shambles against a Fulham team whose remarkable run has put them in touching distance of a first European final.
On the day he took over he was given the news that striker Tunay Torun had suffered a ligament injury and was ruled out of today's match.
Fulham's hopes of progress could rest on the state of Bobby Zamora's achilles as the striker fights for fitness ahead of the second leg.
Zamora has scored 19 goals this season, including strikes in both legs of the quarter-final victory over German champions Wolfsburg, having set Fulham on their way in the tournament when they beat Vetra of Lithuania 3-0 away back in July 2009.