Rafa Benitez today urged his players to take their Fiorentina misery out on Chelsea and present him with a happy set of problems.
The Liverpool boss is well aware that a victory at Stamford Bridge will result in their odds to win the Premier League being slashed.
But Benitez – who is considering recalling the fit-again Daniel Agger – does not want anybody at Anfield getting carried away.
However, he is equally aware that a repeat of last year’s 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge could end up giving Liverpool an irresistible momentum.
That’s why he has challenged his players to be bold, as they aim to bounce back from the disappointing 2-0 defeat they suffered against Fiorentina on Tuesday.
“It will be interesting because if we can win, everyone will be saying Liverpool can win (the title) like they did after we won there last season,” said Benitez.
“If you lose, they will say that you have no chance. We have to be calm, we have to be relaxed and we have to have the same ideas. We need to keep going.
“It is just another result that we will have to manage; if it is positive, we have got to keep expectations low, if it is negative, we will keep everyone positive.
“When you win these type of games against the top sides, it will be more difficult for me to keep the people on the floor and will hear them saying ‘the title, the title!’
“The most difficult thing is to manage expectations and a win at Chelsea could be difficult to manage but I prefer these problems – I don’t want the other problem of losing.”
One man who is almost certain to be recalled is Javier Mascherano, who has recovered from a hamstring problem that ruled him out of the trip to Italy.
“When you play away, you have to work hard in the midfield and Javier is an important player for us in the past and he has to be in the future,” said Benitez.
Liverpool have endured some stuttering moments so far this campaign but Benitez believes the time is right for them to rediscover consistency.
“It could be a good moment now to change things and the players realise that,” said Benitez.
“Chelsea are a top side and we know that but we will have the right mentality.
The Liverpool boss is well aware that a victory at Stamford Bridge will result in their odds to win the Premier League being slashed.
But Benitez – who is considering recalling the fit-again Daniel Agger – does not want anybody at Anfield getting carried away.
However, he is equally aware that a repeat of last year’s 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge could end up giving Liverpool an irresistible momentum.
That’s why he has challenged his players to be bold, as they aim to bounce back from the disappointing 2-0 defeat they suffered against Fiorentina on Tuesday.
“It will be interesting because if we can win, everyone will be saying Liverpool can win (the title) like they did after we won there last season,” said Benitez.
“If you lose, they will say that you have no chance. We have to be calm, we have to be relaxed and we have to have the same ideas. We need to keep going.
“It is just another result that we will have to manage; if it is positive, we have got to keep expectations low, if it is negative, we will keep everyone positive.
“When you win these type of games against the top sides, it will be more difficult for me to keep the people on the floor and will hear them saying ‘the title, the title!’
“The most difficult thing is to manage expectations and a win at Chelsea could be difficult to manage but I prefer these problems – I don’t want the other problem of losing.”
One man who is almost certain to be recalled is Javier Mascherano, who has recovered from a hamstring problem that ruled him out of the trip to Italy.
“When you play away, you have to work hard in the midfield and Javier is an important player for us in the past and he has to be in the future,” said Benitez.
Liverpool have endured some stuttering moments so far this campaign but Benitez believes the time is right for them to rediscover consistency.
“It could be a good moment now to change things and the players realise that,” said Benitez.
“Chelsea are a top side and we know that but we will have the right mentality.
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