Rafael Benitez hopes the Anfield factor can again prove decisive in the Champions League after Liverpool were handed a blockbusting quarter-final tie with Arsenal.
And Benitez’s side may have to beat all three of their “big four” rivals if they are to lift a sixth European Cup in Moscow in May.
Yesterday’s draw at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland ensured Liverpool face Arsenal three times during a pivotal seven days at the beginning of next month.
The first leg of the Champions League tie will be held at the Emirates on Wednesday, April 2 with the return at Anfield the following Tuesday, sandwiching a crucial Premier League clash at the Gunners on Saturday, April 5.
It’s the fourth successive season that Liverpool will face Premier League opposition in the Champions League, having faced Chelsea in the last three campaigns.
The Londoners were vanquished at the semi-final stage in 2005 and 2007 after being beaten in the second leg at Anfield.
And despite his indifferent record against Arsenal – Liverpool have won only three of seven league meetings and none away from Anfield, where they were dumped out of the Carling Cup and FA Cup by Arsene Wenger’s side last season – Benitez is heartened by the fact the second leg is at home.
“It’s two legs, it’s not the same as one game and three points,” said the Anfield manager. “In that respect, we will have to prepare differently to a league game.
“Playing the second leg at home might not have the same effect because Arsenal are an English team and play at Anfield every season. But then, we play at Arsenal every season so it’s the same for both teams. It won’t be the same as if we were playing a foreign club.
“The first game will be important, though. If you play away, it’s important to score. A 1-1 draw could be a good result. And if we have a good result, it will be easier for our supporters to be on top of them. I’m sure the atmosphere will be fantastic at Anfield for the second leg.”
Should Liverpool prevail against the Gunners, they will could conceivably face another semi-final tie against Chelsea, who have been drawn against Turkish team Fenerbahce.
And with Manchester United clear favourites to progress from their half of the draw, having been paired with Roma and to then face the winners of the tie between Barcelona and Schalke, an all-English final appears a definite possibility.
“The way the draw has gone, we might have to play three English teams to win the Champions League, but it will be difficult for all of us,” said Benitez, whose team entertain Reading this afternoon.
“I’d be happy to play an English team in the final, because that would mean we were in the final.
“Arsenal are a very good team and I don’t think our European experience will be an advantage. They have players who have played a lot of games for their national teams and in Europe.
“Arsenal will know we are a tough team to play against, and they will respect us in the same way we will respect them.”
While Arsenal were lauded for their win over AC Milan at the San Siro last week, similar praise has been slow to materialise after Liverpool’s defeat of Inter in the same stadium on Tuesday.
But Benitez insists: “Inter Milan are top of the Italian league and have won it the last two seasons. To beat them was a great achievement for the club.”
And Benitez’s side may have to beat all three of their “big four” rivals if they are to lift a sixth European Cup in Moscow in May.
Yesterday’s draw at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland ensured Liverpool face Arsenal three times during a pivotal seven days at the beginning of next month.
The first leg of the Champions League tie will be held at the Emirates on Wednesday, April 2 with the return at Anfield the following Tuesday, sandwiching a crucial Premier League clash at the Gunners on Saturday, April 5.
It’s the fourth successive season that Liverpool will face Premier League opposition in the Champions League, having faced Chelsea in the last three campaigns.
The Londoners were vanquished at the semi-final stage in 2005 and 2007 after being beaten in the second leg at Anfield.
And despite his indifferent record against Arsenal – Liverpool have won only three of seven league meetings and none away from Anfield, where they were dumped out of the Carling Cup and FA Cup by Arsene Wenger’s side last season – Benitez is heartened by the fact the second leg is at home.
“It’s two legs, it’s not the same as one game and three points,” said the Anfield manager. “In that respect, we will have to prepare differently to a league game.
“Playing the second leg at home might not have the same effect because Arsenal are an English team and play at Anfield every season. But then, we play at Arsenal every season so it’s the same for both teams. It won’t be the same as if we were playing a foreign club.
“The first game will be important, though. If you play away, it’s important to score. A 1-1 draw could be a good result. And if we have a good result, it will be easier for our supporters to be on top of them. I’m sure the atmosphere will be fantastic at Anfield for the second leg.”
Should Liverpool prevail against the Gunners, they will could conceivably face another semi-final tie against Chelsea, who have been drawn against Turkish team Fenerbahce.
And with Manchester United clear favourites to progress from their half of the draw, having been paired with Roma and to then face the winners of the tie between Barcelona and Schalke, an all-English final appears a definite possibility.
“The way the draw has gone, we might have to play three English teams to win the Champions League, but it will be difficult for all of us,” said Benitez, whose team entertain Reading this afternoon.
“I’d be happy to play an English team in the final, because that would mean we were in the final.
“Arsenal are a very good team and I don’t think our European experience will be an advantage. They have players who have played a lot of games for their national teams and in Europe.
“Arsenal will know we are a tough team to play against, and they will respect us in the same way we will respect them.”
While Arsenal were lauded for their win over AC Milan at the San Siro last week, similar praise has been slow to materialise after Liverpool’s defeat of Inter in the same stadium on Tuesday.
But Benitez insists: “Inter Milan are top of the Italian league and have won it the last two seasons. To beat them was a great achievement for the club.”
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