Chelsea v Liverpool: Rafa Benitez insists LFC can get to Moscow

Apr 30 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

CONFIDENT Rafael Benitez believes his Liverpool players are in the mood to reach an eighth European Cup final tonight.

The Anfield outfit are aiming for a third final in four years when they take on Chelsea this evening at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.

John Arne Riise’s injury-time own goal in the first leg at Anfield last week earned the Londoners an unlikely 1-1 draw and makes Avram Grant’s side favourites to progress.

Despite trailing their opponents in the Premier League table, Liverpool eliminated Chelsea on both previous occasions the teams met at this stage of the competition in 2005 and 2007.

And Benitez reckons his team, who have lost just one of their last 16 games, are determined to determined to overcome the odds once more set up an all-English final against bitter rivals Manchester United in Moscow on May 21.

“They know they can go out and make history,” said the Spaniard.

“They can join an elite group which has got to three Champions League finals and go to another level by getting there.

“They all know that. I can see in their eyes that they are winners, they have confidence.

“The majority of the players know what it means to get to a final.

“But for some of the players who were in Istanbul and Athens, it is even more important.

“The players know how important it is to be in a final, and how massive this game is.

“I don’t need to say too much. They are really focused.

“Mentally, physically and technically, we are in a good moment. The players will be ready.”

A Liverpool win or a high-scoring draw of 2-2 or more will see Benitez’s side through to the final, although a 1-1 draw at the end of extra-time would mean another penalty shoot-out.

Liverpool have never scored in eight previous trips to Stamford Bridge under Benitez and have won only once there since 1989, while Chelsea haven’t lost to English opposition at home in more than four years.

However, the Anfield outfit have netted in all six Champions League away games this season and Benitez said: “The plan is easy. We need to score. After this, if we win, it will be better.

“If we draw, we know that Pepe is good on penalties.

“If we score two goals and they score two goals, then we are need to win, we need to progress.

“We need to play compact as a team, as a unit and try to attack all together and defend all together.

“It’s not a special plan or idea, it’s very simple.

“It will not be a fantastic achievement just to score there. But to win, yes, that will rank highly in my career and the players’.”

“Everybody knows the history of the club and the last three years how important these games have been and the results. We have enough confidence and we don’t need to talk too much now.”

Of Chelsea’s home record, Benitez added: “You know my idea about statistics that are really good, they are there to be broken. We will try to change this one.”

Although a goalless draw would be enough for Chelsea, Benitez reckons the expectancy among the home support means the Londoners will not be allowed to sit back and defend.

“They need to attack because their fans will be waiting for something special,” added the Liverpool manager.

“You can’t defend at home and lose 1-0 because the fans won’t be happy.

“They need to attack and we need to attack so in the end it could be an open game.”

Since being eliminated by Inter Milan at the final hurdle on their first European Cup campaign in 1965, Liverpool have won seven consecutive semi-finals.

But they are looking to record their first away victory at this stage of European competition in a tie when they failed to win the first leg at Anfield.

Liverpool’s Amercan co-owner Tom Hicks is expected to be in attendance at Stamford Bridge this evening.