Champions League saviour insists Liverpool can't relax yet

Apr 4 2008

THE bitter memory of one of Anfield’s most famous nights should mean no-one at Liverpool takes anything for granted next Tuesday.

It’s approaching 19 years since Arsenal pulled off a remarkable last-minute 2-0 victory to shatter Kenny Dalglish’s side and lift the championship in dramatic fashion.

Now Anfield is primed for another pivotal evening between the teams next week for the second leg of their Champions League quarter- final.

Liverpool hold a marginal advantage after returning from the Emirates on Wednesday night with Dirk Kuyt’s precious away goal in a 1-1 draw.

The tie, though, remains in the balance. While a goalless draw in Tuesday’s return would see Rafael Benitez’s side through to a third semi- final in four seasons, only Slavia Prague, Portsmouth, Wigan Athletic and Manchester United have managed to stop Arsenal from scoring on their travels this campaign.

And while that gut- wrenching finale in 1989 lingers in the minds of Liverpool supporters of a certain vintage, there have been reminders in recent times of the danger posed by the Gunners.

After all, Arsene Wenger’s side won at Anfield in both domestic cup competitions last season and dug out a 1-1 draw there in the Premier League in October.

In 17 previous European Cup campaigns, Liverpool have never been eliminated after avoiding defeat in a first leg away from home.

But with Arsenal requiring just a 1-0 win to go progress - and having dumped AC Milan out of the previous round with a second-leg triumph at the San Siro – Benitez’s men remain on their guard.

“I don’t think you can say we are favourites,” says goalscorer Kuyt. “It is still going to be really, really close. That is why the Champions League is so special. You never know what is going to happen.

“AC Milan had a great result at Arsenal in their first leg, 0-0, but they got beat 2-0 in the San Siro and nobody expected that. We have to wait, but we have done what we wanted to do: not get beat and score a goal.

“Maybe we will have to score again at Anfield. We try to win every game and we have the ability. It is going to be tough, but we have confidence.”

Of his strike, which came three minutes after Emmanuel Adebayor’s 23rd-minute opener, Kuyt adds: “It was an important goal. It was great play by Stevie and I tried everything to touch the ball. I was happy to score. It was really important to get something to take back to Anfield.

“Arsenal played really well, we have to be honest about that. They gave a great performance, but we had a few chances and we got a goal. We are happy and now we will play at Anfield and everybody knows what we can do at Anfield.

“But we don’t fear anyone. We respect our opponents. Inter Milan had a great side but we beat them in the last round. Arsenal are a great side, playing really well and maybe the best football in Europe at the moment but we still can beat them.”

Xabi Alonso, who surprisingly made his first Champions League appearance of the season on Wednesday, believes Kuyt’s goal has set up the prospect of another electric European night at Anfield.

“We’ve come to a big stadium and managed to control the game for the most part, so it is a very good result for us,” says the Spaniard.

We weren’t expecting to concede a goal, especially from a set-piece, but we were fortunate enough to score a few minutes afterwards.

“The away goal could be crucial and it sets it up for a big second leg at Anfield next week.

“Dirk did a great job as always for the team, and he showed the striker’s instinct to get into the box and find the goal.”

Compatriot Pepe Reina admits Liverpool were “relieved” to emerge with a draw after having to withstand long periods of Arsenal pressure.

And the goalkeeper reckons the dreaded penalty shoot-out may ultimately be required to separate the Premier League rivals.

“We know all about how tight these games are between English clubs in the Champions’ League, and yes, there is a real chance of course that this tie will still go to penalties,” says Reina.

“But we won’t be thinking of that, we believe we can win it over the 90 minutes of the second leg now, because we have produced an important result here.

“The truth is the performance wasn’t the best against Arsenal. But the result was. If we came here and got a 0-0 it would be a decent result, but a 1-1 is much, much better.

“We wanted that away goal, and we set up to get it. To get it, to come away with a draw and an away goal is a real achievement and we are happy now. It is what we wanted.”

Reina adds: “We cannot be complacent. Arsenal showed against us that they are a very good side, they put us under a lot of pressure and I think that is why we didn’t play too well. We could have conceded more, and we are relieved to have got this result.

“But we know Anfield is very different from the Emirates. It is a tighter pitch, much narrower and there is less space for them to use their passing game. In theory it will be easier to defend against them at Anfield, and we know a clean sheet will put us through.

“We know that we will have our fans behind us too, and everyone knows how hard it is to go to Anfield in the Champions League.

“We will use that, and I don’t think we will be content just to defend. We have an advantage, but that is all. There is still work to be done and much to play for.”