Steven Gerrard Talks Mario Balotelli, Luis Suarez and Champions League Return

Steven Gerrard's name is synonymous with Champions League success, but as the Liverpool captain prepares to enter Europe's elite competition for the first time since the 2009-10 season, he knows Brendan Rodgers' new-look side have work to do.

Last year's 31-goal hero, a certain Luis Suarez, has exited the club. Despite his long battle to reach the Champions League with Liverpool, everybody's marmite striker is destined to help Barcelona rip through the continent's best. Gerrard knows Suarez is likely to have a major impact on his new side's progress, reported the Daily Mail's Dominic King:

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There is no doubt Luis Suarez is going to be one of the big players in the Champions League this season. I know how much he wants to play in the competition. I had many conversations with him about it. But we have got Mario now and we have got to move on.

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Mario Balotelli was brought in across the summer to ensure the Reds have an ample attacking threat, a decision that looks particularly smart considering Daniel Sturridge's recent injury, per David Maddock of the Mirror.

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Although Balotelli is yet to register his first competitive goal for the Reds—having failed to score in two appearances against Tottenham and Aston Villa—Gerrard believes the former Manchester City striker can be a major hit on Merseyside, per King's report:

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If we get the best out of him, we have got him. If people want to write stories about him and say that he is crazy or he is a nutter, let them. But he is one of us now. We have welcomed him into this club with open arms and we want to help him succeed.

Everyone is hoping he is going to be a hit. He has got a great set of team-mates who will work for him and back him. He has got to do the same for us.

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Liverpool face a favourable opening tie with Bulgarian side Ludogorets at Anfield on Tuesday night. The home fans will expect a crushing victory after watching their heroes lose to Villa just days before, as it's clear there are bigger tests to come.

An away trip to Basel, followed by a home clash with European champions Real Madrid, await before the end of October. Rodgers' men have the chance to rack up vital points at home before heading to the Bernabeu on Nov. 4, a match where any points will be considered extremely impressive for the Premier League side.

Gerrard has seen it all on the European stage. He fired him a competition-saving goal against Olympiakos during the run to that Istanbul final, where his header initiated one of world football's most famous comebacks against AC Milan in the 2005 showpiece match. He has also suffered the crushing disappointment of watching on in envy during five years of struggle to make the domestic top four.

The skipper is vital to Liverpool's chances of progressing beyond the group stage. His ability to dictate play on the halfway line will allow penetrative talents such as Balotelli, Raheem Sterling and Lazar Markovic to influence matches around the box. Gerrard's leadership skills provide a calming, knowing presence, an extremely important factor now that Rodgers is trying to slot so many new signings in.

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Rodgers recently handed Jordan Henderson the mantle of being Liverpool's vice-captain, indicating the English midfielder is being prepared to take on the leading role once Gerrard decides to call time on his playing career. The announcement was made on Liverpool's Twitter account:

Henderson's European debut and extra responsibility signals the beginning of a new chapter for the man who was often lambasted upon his initially underwhelming performances for the Reds. Rodgers' management has helped the player soar and become an important facet of an energetic midfield.

The manager knows his team have no time for niceties when Champions League football begins, however. As reported by Maddock, Rodgers insists Liverpool won't be overruled by the occasion:

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We are not tourists in this competition – we believe it is where we belong and where we should be playing. For the players and everyone involved it’s something that brings the real excitement...but it isn’t a ‘giddy’ excitement.

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Victory against Ludogorets would provide an expected, yet welcome, beginning to the new European campaign. Liverpool fans know tougher tests await, but they will be hoping their new boys can put the minnows to the sword in front of a packed crowd. Balotelli's first goal for the club could be vital, as once he hits form, Liverpool will have a match-defining forward on their hands.

While the spectre of Suarez showed itself against Villa, a successful run in the Champions League will help Liverpool supporters forget what could have been if the prolific goalscorer remained a Kop star.