Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Benitez Urges Fans To Crank Up Noise

Rafael Benitez has urged Anfield to crank up the volume tonight to expose Chelsea’s mental scars and roar Liverpool towards another Champions League final.

Another intense atmosphere is expected when the Londoners travel to Merseyside for their third semi-final meeting in this competition in four years.

Backed by a huge support, Benitez’s side eliminated Chelsea en route to lifting the European Cup in 2005 and then scored a repeat success against the Stamford Bridge outfit last year.

The Liverpool manager believes the home fans will have to generate an atmosphere to surpass even those two memorable Anfield occasions - and play on the minds of Avram Grant’s visitors.

“For me, it would be an incentive but for them maybe it is psychological problem,” said Benitez of Chelsea’s previous two defeats. “I think they have enough experience and quality in the squad.

“I don't think they will have a problem coming to Anfield and dealing with the atmosphere. They can manage, so we must create more problems for them and create a better atmosphere.

“I feel that our team is playing well and we have enough confidence. But we cannot think it will be easy.”

Benitez added: “I don't think the difference in these games is the tactical approach. The difference could be the atmosphere in Anfield, the commitment of the players, and the quality of some players.

“The key for us is the supporter atmosphere. We have fantastic atmosphere in every game. The supporters know we need the support because the second leg will be at Stamford Bridge, and it will be difficult.

“We have confidence that we can win, but we have respect for Chelsea. They are a good team, they have a balance between attack and defence, well-organised in defence and good at counter-attack and also in attack, and also in set-pieces.

“I prefer to feel the same as we felt before, that we were underdogs against a fantastic team.”

Steven Gerrard will lead Liverpool out this evening after recovering from a neck injury, with Daniel Agger (foot) and Harry Kewell (groin) the only definite absentees.

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