Saturday, October 25, 2008

Rafa Looks To Take It To The Bridge


Rafael Benitez admires the attacking style that Luiz Felipe Scolari has introduced at Chelsea but still believes Liverpool can win in London.

The Anfield boss will be trying to mastermind the end of Chelsea's four-year, 86-game unbeaten home league record when the Premier League's top two clash at Stamford Bridge.

But Liverpool will have to do it without Fernando Torres, who has failed to recover from a hamstring injury.

Benitez said: "Robbie Keane has a groin strain, we are not sure about him yet, but we will have to wait until nearer the match before we decide.

"(Steven) Gerrard and (Xabi) Alonso will be fit, but Torres will not be available. He may be ready for next week, but for now there is no chance.

"We do not have Torres, but I believe we have the fire-power to beat Chelsea. We have been playing well and have good confidence.

"We have enough quality in the squad. We may have been more worried without Torres in the past, but we have improved, we have new players with a very good mentality.

"We have enough to beat a very good team, and that is what Chelsea are. It is too early to talk of titles, but we have the confidence to beat anyone.

"So we will go to Stamford Bridge and try to do our best. If we win it will be perfect and if we do not lose that too will be positive."

Benitez goes to Stamford Bridge without the added pressures caused by the now infamous war of words with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho that marred previous encounters.

The Portuguese coach dominated Benitez in league matches, while Liverpool achieved notable victories in the FA Cup and Champions League.

Now, it seems, Benitez senses a more cordial welcome.

He would not go as far as to say Chelsea were better under Scolari, but he got very close.

"With Avram Grant the team was at the same level as with Mourinho, but maybe more offensive," Benitez said.

"And that is now the same with Scolari. He is improving the team and the squad, so it will be just as difficult. But we are playing against the team, not the manager.

"But maybe Chelsea are now more offensive. That just makes it more difficult because they have such good players.

"Chelsea are a very good team. I would not want to say better than under Mourinho because I do not want to start any war of words, but it is clear that they are more offensive.

"They have a more offensive mentality, a very good team with a good attacking policy.

"This game may be more open than previous ones between the clubs. Clearly they have a stronger attacking mentality. They will go forward, they score goals, and we will have a much more attacking match.

"They have quality all around. They have full-backs who go forward, good wide men and attacking players, they are a very good side. They do not have too many weaknesses, but if we can win it will be a real boost."

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