An early goal by former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan saw Atletico secure a narrow 1-0 win over Rafael Benitez's team in the first leg last Thursday at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.

Quique Sanchez Flores' team followed it up with a 3-1 win over Tenerife in the Primera Division yesterday to round off a successful few days.

With Thursday's game delicately poised, Simao admits Atletico are approaching it as a one-off as they look to book their place in next month's final in Hamburg.

He told www.as.com: "This is a semi-final but for us it is like a final.

"We must have faith, we are in the final 90 minutes.

"Moreover, we have a one-goal advantage and we know what playing at Anfield is like because last year we played there in the Champions League.

"We are ready and focused. We are optimistic. We will play our game."

Should Atletico prevail they will reach their second final of the season after making next month's Copa del Rey showpiece against Sevilla.

Simao added: "It would be fantastic to get to play two finals because no-one knows when we will have this opportunity again.

"We are very happy, but we do not think about the double. We know that the finals are to be won.

"Maybe we should have been higher in the league, fighting with Madrid and Barcelona but we did not start well."