Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has informed the club's fans that they can play a big role in helping the team qualify for the next round of the Europa League.

The Reds will play host to Zenit St Petersburg on Thursday night trailing 2-0 from last week's opening leg in Russia.

Despite the deficit, Slovakian centre-back Skrtel has insisted that anything is possible if the crowd at Anfield get behind the players from the first whistle.

"The atmosphere at Anfield in European games is always special and the game on Thursday will be even more because we lost the first game and the crowd feel we need their help. I'm pretty sure they will help us," he told the club's official website.

"In football everything is possible. We'll play at Anfield - we know the fans will be behind us and they'll help us to get into the next round.

"It's not going to be easy but if we can get an early goal that will help us a lot. Then just try to play our game, create chances and take them. We believe we can beat them at home."

Skrtel, 28, joined Liverpool from Zenit in January 2008.