Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool can achieve the impossible and see off Chelsea in the Champions League semifinals despite losing to Jose Mourinho’s men three times already this season.
The first instalment of the all Premiership clash takes place at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday with Benitez promising Liverpool would be at their European best rather than their domestic worst.
With last weekend’s dismal defeat at Crystal Palace fresh in the mind the Liverpool manager said: ”After a bad result you are disappointed but now there is always a new game and a new competition and we need to have confidence in ourselves”.
”This is such an important game for the club, the players and the supporters. We will try to do our best for everyone’s sake.
”We can do the impossible, we have confidence. Chelsea are one of the best teams in the world but when you talk about just two games and a knock-out tie like this with you being able to see the final so close, anything and everything can happen.”
Liverpool’s task has been helped by the return of Australian Harry Kewell after four months off with injury problems. Milan Baros, Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso are also expected to face the champions-elect after picking up injuries last Saturday.
Reflecting on the task ahead the Spaniard added: ”We have lost three games against them by just one goal, that means we are very close to them.
”Over nine months it is different, they have a big squad and have spent a lot of money on very good players.
”But over one tie like this we believe we have a real chance as long as we pay attention to the small details.”
”Chelsea are top of the table and have almost won the league, but we are focused and we know we have these two games to shape our destiny.”
Benitez is aiming to replicate the tactical triumph he produced against Juventus in the quarterfinals and perhaps pull-off as sensational a result as when Chelsea ended their 17 match winless streak against another Premiership club Arsenal in last season’s Champions League quarterfinals.
”We need to play with the heart and the brain, both are important. Against Chelsea you need everything you have and that is what we will give.
”We will play with a different attitude, I am sure. We cannot play with the same style as in the Premier League, so we will have to change.
”Away from home we have not played so well but we will try to re-discover the sort of form we have shown in our away Champions League games, not the way we play in the Premiership.”
And he’s itching for next week’s return leg at Anfield.
”All our fans will be awaiting the second game, with their passion. They have confidence in us for away games in the Champions League and we will try to give them a good result and for them to be able to enjoy the second leg.
”It is important to give ourselves options at Anfield, maybe a 1-0 defeat in the first game is not that bad.
”We could lose four times to them this season and win the fifth, and that could be good enough.” – Sapa-AFP