RAFAEL BENITEZ believes Atletico Madrid will be running scared this evening as Liverpool aim to take a significant step towards the Europa League final.

After yesterday completing an arduous 1,200-mile trip to the Spanish capital that took almost 24 hours to complete, Benitez’s men step out at the Vicente Calderon for the first leg of their semi-final tie.

Liverpool issued a resounding statement of intent in reaching the last four by thrashing in-form Benfica 4-1 at Anfield earlier this month. And although having warned his players to expect an intimidating atmosphere tonight, Benitez believes the manner in which his side inflicted a first defeat in 27 games on the Portuguese outfit will pray on the minds of their Spanish hosts.

“Atletico have experience in Europe so I don’t think you can say we are favourites, to me there isn’t much difference between the sides,” said the Liverpool manager.

“But the positive thing for us is that what we did against Benfica has given us confidence we can perform in the second leg, and maybe Atletico will be a little bit worried about that.

“It’s something we have to manage afterwards, but now we have to be ready because the Calderon is a big stadium and their fans will really be behind them.

“If we score an early goal then everything can change.

“We have to think we will be strong enough for 90 minutes.”

The disruption to flights throughout Europe caused by the ash cloud from recent volcanic activity in Iceland meant Liverpool were forced to undergo a trek by coach, train and plane to reach Madrid.

They arrived in the Spain early yesterday afternoon and trained at the Vicente Calderon during the evening.

And Benitez has warned his players not to let their efforts in reaching this far into the competition – and reaching Madrid itself – go to waste.

“When you get to this stage of the competition you know you have are so close,” he said.

“It’s easy to motivate the players. They know they are so close to the final and have to produce their maximum to win the game. It won’t be difficult to motivate the players.”