MANAGER Rafael Benitez now knows victory in their next group D match, at home to PSV Eindhoven on October 1, will send Liverpool to Atletico Madrid three weeks later with their destiny in their own hands.
The Reds got off to a winning start in Marseille on Tuesday, with Steven Gerrard scoring both their goals in a 2-1 win.
Madrid did even better, winning 3-0 at PSV to sit top of Group D.
Benitez said: “If we can win at home against PSV it will be good for our confidence. If we win that, maybe the next match away to Madrid will be the key to the group for us.”
But Reds winger Ryan Babel has warned Dutch outfit PSV will be no pushovers.
He said: “In Europe it is Eindhoven next at home for us, and being Dutch I know a good deal about them and they could be a lot more difficult than people expect.
“But if we can win that we will be really on the way to qualifying for the next stage.
“We remember how badly we started the Champions League last season. We knew that could not be allowed to happen again.
“So to win in Marseille against a difficult side, and that following our win over Manchester United, has given us all plenty of confidence.
“We have not lost this season and our confidence is improving with every game.
“But we are aware we have only just started. There is much to do, much to improve.”
The Reds got off to a winning start in Marseille on Tuesday, with Steven Gerrard scoring both their goals in a 2-1 win.
Madrid did even better, winning 3-0 at PSV to sit top of Group D.
Benitez said: “If we can win at home against PSV it will be good for our confidence. If we win that, maybe the next match away to Madrid will be the key to the group for us.”
But Reds winger Ryan Babel has warned Dutch outfit PSV will be no pushovers.
He said: “In Europe it is Eindhoven next at home for us, and being Dutch I know a good deal about them and they could be a lot more difficult than people expect.
“But if we can win that we will be really on the way to qualifying for the next stage.
“We remember how badly we started the Champions League last season. We knew that could not be allowed to happen again.
“So to win in Marseille against a difficult side, and that following our win over Manchester United, has given us all plenty of confidence.
“We have not lost this season and our confidence is improving with every game.
“But we are aware we have only just started. There is much to do, much to improve.”
No comments:
Post a Comment