Torres On Mission To Moscow

Goal machine Fernando Torres is dreaming of Moscow glory as Liverpool march on in the Champions League.

Torres netted for the 29th time in what is a truly remarkable debut season in English football to help secure Tuesday night's dramatic 4-2 quarter-final second leg win over Arsenal.

And the 24-year-old is confident Liverpool can come out on top of yet another semi-final showdown with Chelsea later this month.

Torres arrived at Anfield last summer having never played in Europe for his boyhood club Atletico Madrid. Now he has bagged five goals in Liverpool's ride into the last four.

The Spaniard said: "This was the greatest night of my career so far. My dream now is to get to the final, it is what I have always wanted.

"And the fact that I am enjoying myself here in Liverpool makes it even more important.

"Yes we can get to the Moscow final in May. The two league games we have had with Chelsea this season were both draws, very close. We know we can do it."

He added: "I came to Liverpool for nights and games like this. It is hard to believe, the emotion, the fans, the high-tempo, everything about this is what I wanted and expected.

"It was a good game, I'm sure, for the people watching. And Arsenal are a fine side and played some very nice football. But we are in the semi-finals, which is what matters.

"We knew Arsenal would be difficult and Chelsea would be waiting. We needed to win and win well. It was difficult but we had worked hard all week with our preperation for the game and everything was worthwhile in the end.

"Maybe when Arsenal made it 2-2 I felt we were out. It was so near the end, five minutes away.

"But the magical place that Anfield is got us through. The fans were tremendous, but we had to play with our heads, not just our hearts.

"We had the believe, and we got two more goals in those final minutes to prove it. Liverpool is special, a special place, special fans, special city and a special team."

Life on Merseyside could not be better for Torres, already a Kop folk hero in the mould of Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush.

He said: "I'm so happy to be playing for Liverpool and to be living in this city. We do this for the supporters, and we aim to get to the final for them.

"Chelsea will be difficult, but the same as playing Arsenal, really. It is another English league side and it will be physical and a strong match.

"Now we have two games to get to the final. We have drawn with them twice in the league this season, so that means it will be very tight.

"We have two targets, to finish in the top four and to win the Champions League. We are getting to the final a step at a time, and we also must keep going in the league, too, to make sure we qualify for next season.

"I do not have any more personal targets, I am just doing my job to score goals. That is what I do.

"Everything was wonderful, all the work, the team play, the goals, everything. And to beat a great side like Arsenal, what a night.

"It was a very happy day for us."

Midfielder Javier Mascherano, currently suspended from domestic matches but able to play in Europe, could be heading for his second Champions League final in a year after his controversial arrival in English football.

He said: "Against Arsenal it was a good win and we will enjoy this moment because we know how difficult winning at this level is, so we are very happy now.

"The quarter-finals were two very difficult matches. In the first 20 minutes here we were no good, bad, but we came back well.

"They could play how they wanted to, but after Sami Hyypia's goal it was very good for us and the game changed then.

"In the second half, we could play how we wanted to and score how we wanted to.

"As for me, I know I made a mistake against Manchester United with the red card, so now I will try to concentrate on the Champions League.

"For this week, it has been the only competition in which I have been allowed to play in."

Hopeful Liverpool Fans Already Booking Flights To Moscow

Liverpool FC’s famous Champions League victory over Arsenal on Tuesday night has hopeful fans already dreaming of reaching the final in Moscow.

But if the club do manage to overcome Chelsea in the semi-final, fans travelling to Russia for the May 21 final are certain to be considerably out of pocket.

The cost of flights to Moscow that week are already more than £500 in places, with operators predicting them to possibly triple in price once the Final line-up is confirmed on April 30.

Fans may also struggle to find cheap accommodation in the city recently named as the most expensive in the world. Fans should also be aware that no-one can enter the Russian Federation without a visa.

This visa takes eight-10 working days, costs £45 and must include an official tourism document supplied by a travel agent or hotel, indicating where the fans will be staying.

A member of the Russian Consulate in London said they had already received a deluge of enquiries from Liverpool fans.

She said: “It’s been very busy, but fans need to allow time to get their visa back and must include all the paperwork and a passport photograph.”

Liverpool still have to beat Chelsea over two legs, which could lead to an all-English final against Manchester United, and no doubt a major security headache for Uefa.

A quick browse of the main internet hotel sites showed a number of the centrally located hotels in Moscow were already completely booked out for the night of the May 21.

Current prices for two and three star hotels average between £100 and £190 for a three night stay.

But as fans wait with baited breath to see if Liverpool can get to another European Cup Final, some have already booked their flights.

A number of fans on the Red and White Kop forum last night said they had snapped up cheap flights and were prepared to lose the money if Chelsea go through.

Without tempting fate, fans can expect to pay £21.12 for a three-course dinner, £1.69 for a coffee and up to £4 for a pint of Western beer.

Visas take eight to 10 working days, cost £45 and must be accompanied by an official tourism voucher

This voucher, supplied by Russian (British) travel agent or must be included in the application and be signed and stamped.

A Tourist Acceptance Confirmation, written in Russian from an authorised Russian travel agency or a hotel must also be included.

The Confirmation must contain the agency’s reference number and registration number.

More information at www.rusemblon.org/logon_en.htm or on 0207-499-10-29.

Flights aren’t available direct from Liverpool John Lennon, although operators including BMI, Lufthansa, Czech Airlines and Air France fly from Manchester and Leeds.

Flights currently available from Manchester to Moscow start from £250 return with BMI, but travel agents are warning the cost could triple on April 30 when the final line-up is decided. Expedia currently has flights for around £400 return from Manchester with Lufthansa going out on May 20 and returning May 22.

Czech Airlines offer £420 returns for the same date, and Air France £550.

BMI from Leeds Bradford on the May 20, returning May 23 currently has flights for £373.20.

Compared with a six-hour flight time, a train ticket from London across Europe currently comes in at £336, taking just under 73 hours.

Add either the cost of an average £60 return Liverpool to London train ticket or take National Express with fares from £8 each way.

This option takes the Eurostar to Brussels, high speed train to Cologne, sleeper train to Moscow, spending two nights aboard crossing Poland and Belerus.

The adventurous and hardcore fan with a reliable vehicle might also consider driving the 2,038 miles to Moscow.

Based on calculations of a 10-year-old Vauxhall Corsa, with a 1.4 engine, this would cost £266 in petrol.

Crouch Hints At Anfield Stay

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has hinted more regular action could persuade him to stay at Anfield.

The England international had admitted earlier in the week that he was considering his future on Merseyside after struggling to force his way in to Rafa Benitez's starting XI.

But Benitez insists he wants the giant forward to sign a new long-term deal with the club and handed Crouch a starting role in the epic UEFA Champions League victory over Arsenal.

Crouch had been part of much-changed first XI for the Premier League match at Emirates Stadium on Saturday and proved his worth with Liverpool's goal in the 1-1 draw.

He then started alongside star striker Fernando Torres in the 4-2 quarter-final second leg triumph which set up yet another semi-final date with Chelsea.

Now the former Aston Villa and Portsmouth forward is hoping to play a key role as the Reds bid to secure a sixth European crown.
Crouch told the Daily Star: "To be honest it was a surprise to be playing. But this was a big, big game and I've obviously proved to Rafa that I can play in them.

"The manager has played me in a massive game and I've got to take confidence from that.

"At the minute, it's not about me being unhappy or whatever. I have to pull together and be part of a team that has a chance of getting to the Champions League Final.

"The week ended fantastically for me. Everyone knows I haven't started nearly enough as I would have liked.

"But I've played in the last two now and hopefully I've done enough to continue in that role."

Liverpool Fans Eye Takeover Talks

The fans' group hoping to buy Liverpool Football Club says it is preparing to approach the club's US owners in an attempt to discuss its intentions.

Share Liverpool FC wants to buy the club through 100,000 fans paying £5,000 each for a club share.

It now says it has £60m definitely pledged, and a potential further £55m from fans showing "strong interest".

The US businessmen who own the club, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, have become unpopular with many fans

The pair bought the football club in early 2007, but have reportedly fallen out.

Terms of the takeover mean that each can block any move by the other to sell their holding without the other's specific approval.

Dubai International Capital has recently revived its interest in the club but to take control, it must buy all of one man's shares along with at least some of the other man's.

"We have got to approach the current owners, that is what we have to do now," Rogan Taylor, who is spearheading Share Liverpool FC, told the BBC.

"I can't say how, or through whom, at present, but we will be approaching them to try and set up talks, and let them know our intentions".

He said that since the fan website was launched there had been a flurry of activity - with contact from more than 200 countries.

"Our initial website was a marketing tool to check the level of interest out there," he said.

We have been overwhelmed by the response, and now we have to keep things moving forward quickly."

As well as those expressing a "definite" and "strong" interest in making an investment, there are 13,000 other would-be backers who say they cannot raise £5,000.

"We will be contacting them about possible group memberships, where fans and family come together to buy one share, and have a nominated shareholder they all agree on," Mr Taylor said.

Share Liverpool has set up a steering committee - made up of people with legal, business, accountancy and other commercial experience - to formulate a constitution setting out the way forward.

A company is being formed as an "industrial and provident society" structure, Mr Taylor said.

And after talks with the Financial Services Authority, the set-up is close to being ratified.

"The constitution is designed to deliver a non-profit making structure, and a means of electing an executive board, which would run the company for four years." Mr Taylor said.

While the board would be the club executive, there would also be a fan parliament of 100 delegates to scrutinise the board's actions.

"Fans will not be able to say what cheques are written, or which players are bought and sold," Mr Taylor added.

"The board will have executive control for hiring and firing, buying and selling, lending and spending."

Any borrowing to build a new stadium for Liverpool FC would be done against future revenues a new stadium would bring, such Arsenal did to finance its Emirates Stadium move.

Mr Taylor added that other regulatory issues needed to be overcome, partly because the group is asking fans in so many overseas countries to send money.

Meanwhile a fighting fund has been established, and the website is being reconstructed to become "more sophisticated" in preparation for future moves.

"What has been going on at the club, regardless of who owns it, is a vivid illustration of the pattern of ownership in the UK," Mr Taylor said.

"Great clubs, established social institutions, are being traded on the global capital markets, with no knowledge of the clubs.

"Fans offer everlasting support and should be given the chance now to own an everlasting share."

Frojdfeldt Stands By Penalty Call

Referee Peter Frojdfeldt is in "no doubt" he was right to award Liverpool a penalty against Arsenal on Tuesday.

Frojdfeldt pointed to the spot in the 85th minute of the Champions League second-leg clash when Kolo Toure and Ryan Babel came together.

Steven Gerrard then dispatched the spot-kick past goalkeeper Manuel Almunia to set the Reds on their way to the last four of the competition.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger expressed his disappointment at the decision, labelling it "dodgy", but Frojdfeldt has backed his call.

He told The Mirror: "I have no doubt it was a penalty. He pulled his shirt and the only ones complaining were the Arsenal players, who were complaining at Toure.

"It was a very fair game in a high tempo. The atmosphere was fantastic. I'm satisfied with both mine and my assistants' work."

Crouch Comes Under Starter's Orders And May Prove A Stayer After Fine Display

Another chapter in Anfield's rich European history owed much to another hand expertly played in the Champions League by Rafael Benítez. Arsenal will rue the lapse in concentration that squandered this tie for as long as it takes to lift their first European Cup or the time it takes the Liverpool manager to display a weakness that compares. The former would appear the shorter wait.

On a night when even a brilliant execution from Fernando Torres was relegated to the margins by the dramatic shift in fortunes at Anfield, it was the Liverpool manager's cold, considered use of his occasional forwards which tipped the balance towards a third semi-final appearance in four seasons.

Abandoning the formation that had revived Liverpool's season to accommodate Peter Crouch, he later abandoned the England centre-forward's tireless effort in favour of the pace of Ryan Babel. The selections and the timing of the change worked to perfection for Liverpool. Here was an unexpectedly bold starting line-up and at no point in a fluctuating tie did Benítez try to protect a slender advantage.

"We knew Crouch had scored a hat-trick against Arsenal here last season and he was really good against them the other day," he said. "He scored against them again and was always a threat. We tried to use that threat and profit from his ability in the air, the pace of Torres and the movement of Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt."

There was genuine shock at Crouch's inclusion inside the stadium when the teams were announced, and nowhere greater than in the Liverpool dressing room and inside the squad's No15 shirt. "It's pretty clear I probably won't start," said the 27-year-old after Saturday's man-of-the-match performance at the Emirates Stadium, his latest impressive display against a defence punctured five times by him in five previous starts. Though he agreed Torres had to be the choice to lead the line in Benítez's 4-2-3-1 formation, the surprise at finally earning reward from the manager must have been profound.

If there was unease at Benítez's selection before kick-off it centred on changing the system that repaired the club's campaign after the Cup defeat by Barnsley, Crouch's last start before the weekend, rather than the inclusion of the centre-forward whose frustration at starting only 18 times before last night announced itself at the weekend. "I would love to stay; it is a fantastic club and I love everything about it, but I have to be realistic," Crouch said on Saturday. "If I want to have aspirations of playing for England or furthering my career, I have to be playing and that doesn't seem to be the case at the moment."

Perhaps last night's return to the fold will influence that outlook but career decisions can wait. Crouch offered a remedy to the failings Benítez had identified in his team's first-leg display, with the Spaniard bemoaning the cheap possession given away in attack, goals conceded at set pieces and the relative comfort of William Gallas and Philippe Senderos in defence. They were never afforded that luxury here, Crouch unsettling Senderos instantly from José Reina's clearance and, though often moving into Torres's territorial domain, fashioning Liverpool's only chances until Sami Hyypia's header turned the momentum back in their favour.

Gerrard, Kuyt and Torres all nearly capitalised on Crouch's distribution before Benítez paid the £7m man his finest compliment by reverting to 4-2-3-1 and asking the Englishman, and not the Spaniard, to lead the line. A flick that gave Torres the chance for his outstanding strike returned the favour and, though his disappointment at being replaced was palpable, a standing ovation soothed it, along with the impact of his replacement.

"We needed pace and the ability to run at defenders in the final minutes because I could see that Torres was tiring," said Benítez. Again his decision was to be vindicated. Babel has shown flashes of excellence laced with erratic decision-making and distribution but he made that criticism redundant here, winning the penalty and scoring the fourth that sent Benítez onwards again.

Belief Pulled Reds Through, Says Relieved Benítez

Rafael Benítez claimed that Liverpool's greater belief, not penalty decisions or superior European experience, was the principal reason for their place in the Champions League semi-finals and Arsenal's demise at Anfield last night.

The Liverpool manager faces Chelsea for the fourth successive season in the Champions League after maintaining his own remarkable European record on a pulsating night at Anfield, a sequence he insisted was owed entirely to his players' refusal to wilt when Emmanuel Adebayor equalised six minutes from time.

"This was a victory for belief," said Benítez, in the semi-finals for a third time in four seasons. "I don't think our extra experience counted. Arsenal were in the final themselves two seasons ago, but the difference was in the belief of the players. The way they [Arsenal] scored their second goal was really disappointing but I am very happy with the reaction to it."

Benítez's initial reaction to Adebayor's strike was to bring on the Ukrainian forward Andriy Voronin. But, with the substitute Ryan Babel hauled to the ground by William Gallas 60 seconds later, he was able to savour an extraordinary finale.

"We are very relieved," he admitted. "It has been a really difficult tie. We started really bad tonight, but the second half was much better and we believed we had the quality even when they scored first. I am going to enjoy tonight before I think of Chelsea. That is going to be a tough, tough game."

Arsène Wenger's task now is to lift Arsenal after the prospect of a third trophyless season moved closer to realisation. "It'll be very difficult to lift the players because they are extremely disappointed because they feel hard done by over the two games," said the Arsenal manager. "We'll try to finish strongly. We have a feeling of disappointment and injustice tonight, which makes it doubly difficult."

The deflation clearly extended to the Frenchman himself, although he denied that Arsenal had lost their last realistic hope of silverware this season because of a lack of mental strength. "We should have scored before we equalised," he lamented. "We had a clear-cut chance, completely on our own in the box, to score a third and kill them off."

It's Liverpool v Chelsea Again

Steven Gerrard kept his nerve on a night of high drama to score an 86th-minute penalty as Liverpool beat Arsenal last night to set up a Champions League semi-final re-match with Chelsea.

Gerrard scored in front of the Kop two minutes after Emmanuel Adebayor had kept Arsenal's season alive by levelling on the night and putting his side ahead on the away goals rule. The striker's tap-in followed an electric 70-yard run from Theo Walcott.

But it was to be in vain as Kolo Toure brought down Ryan Babel for Gerrard's penalty. Gerrard said: "It's up there with the other great European nights at Anfield. I was confident I could score but it was one of my worst performances."

Arsenal's season, which had promised so much, now looks set to end without any silverware.

Liverpool finished with a goal by Babel as they won 4-2 to go through 5-3 on aggregate.

At Stamford Bridge, Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard scored as Chelsea beat Fenerbahce 2-0, to set up a third Champions League semi-final against Liverpool in four seasons. Liverpool won the previous two.

At Anfield last night, Abou Diaby had given Arsenal a 13th-minute lead, but Sami Hyypia equalised with a header. Fernando Torres fired Liverpool in front before Adebayor's goal heralded a dramatic finale.

Rafa's Anfield Aces Are 4-Some

Steve Gerrard scored the penalty which broke Arsenal’s hearts in a Champions League thriller at Anfield.

The Gunners, trailing 2-1 after a second-half strike from Fernando Torres, thought they had snatched a semi-final place when they equalised.

Theo Walcott ran past four defenders in a scintillating burst from his own area before squaring the ball for Emmanuel Adebayor to make it 2-2 after 84 minutes.

But a minute later Kolo Toure was ruled to have brought down Ryan Babel and skipper Gerrard confidently planted home the penalty to book a semi-final with Chelsea.

Babel then finished off Arsenal as they chased an equaliser when he broke clear with Cesc Fabregas trailing in his wake to make it 4-2 in the 90th minute.

Abou Diaby and Sami Hyypia had kept the game on a knife-edge with goals in the first half as Liverpool and Arsenal slugged out this European battle of the Premier League.

But after 69 minutes Torres broke the deadlock with a right-foot strike after turning Philippe Senderos. That was just the start of a gripping finale.

Arsene Wenger had talked about this being Arsenal’s ‘moment of truth’.

The Gunners manager faced the biggest challenge of his career with this third of three games against Liverpool, followed by a Premier League match against Manchester United on Sunday.

But after two 1-1 draws in a row against Liverpool, he had gone into this game knowing the Gunners’ season was on the verge of collapse.

Wenger’s response was to claim boldly that his team were still on course for an incredible League and European Cup double, despite the fact they had only won two out of their last 11 games.

Injury has recently hit the Arsenal team with Eduardo and Tomasz Rosicky ruled out for the season.

Robin van Persie was only on the bench after failing to recover fully from his thigh injury.

It meant Alexander Hleb started just behind Adebayor, who scored the opening goal in the first leg last week.

Wenger decided to keep Toure at right-back with Senderos alongside William Gallas.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was adamant before kick-off that Arsenal were going to score.

It is the only thing that can explain why he took the bold decision to hand Peter Crouch his first start in the Champions League since November when Liverpool beat Besiktas 8-0.

Crouch played well against Arsenal at the weekend in the League game and Benitez obviously wanted him to repeat his performance last night alongside Torres.

It was only the fifth time this season that the pair had started together.

Given that Crouch talked after the game at the weekend about having to quit the club for more regular football, last night’s team selection was ironic.

Mind you, Gerrard would not have been happy. In his programme notes he talked about the team needing to get more out of whoever was on the left.

He would never have imagined that was where he would be starting the biggest game of Liverpool’s season.

For the past two months he has been operating just behind Torres, creating a partnership which has led to Liverpool running riot.

Benitez’s assumption that Arsenal were going to score seemed negative given that in two semi-finals against Chelsea at Anfield his side had not conceded a goal. But he was spot on as his side fell behind in the 13th minute.

The Gunners came flying out of the traps, perhaps spurred on by the wonderful Anfield atmosphere.

Wenger’s team swarmed all over Liverpool and it paid off immediately.

Adebayor stormed down the left and angled a ball back for Fabregas. Before he could take aim, the ball was poked away by fellow Spaniard Xabi Alonso.

It only came out to Mathieu Flamini, who chested it down and played on despite the Kop screaming handball.

Liverpool seemed to lose their concentration for a split second as the ball came out to Diaby on the right and he smashed his shot past Pepe Reina at the near post.

It was a great strike but the ball went in off Reina and there was no way Liverpool’s keeper should have been beaten so easily.

Arsenal had control and could have grabbed a second if Reina had not finally come to his senses Diaby crossed from the left for Adebayor and as the Togo ace looked ready to pounce, the keeper managed to punch the ball away.

Liverpool were struggling to get into the game with their altered set-up. Fabio Aurelio saw Liverpool’s first shot fly over the bar in the 24th minute but from the Reds’ next attack the full-back forced a corner.

Alonso swung the ball in and Hyypia rose to arc his header into the top right-hand corner of Almunia’s goal.

Senderos was at fault as he lost the veteran defender at the flag-kick and Fabregas, on the line, could not prevent the ball going in.

It was dreadful defending by the Swiss centre-half, but it was exactly what Liverpool needed as they were being passed to death in midfield.

Hyypia has now scored in three separate European Cup quarter-finals, having got on the scoresheet against Juventus and PSV Eindhoven. It was also a perfect way to celebrate signing a new one-year contract.

Wenger’s side suffered another blow as Flamini turned an ankle in a challenge with Gerrard and had to be carried off with three minutes of the first half left, to be replaced by Gilberto.

Dropped, Wins Penalty And Scores – A Crazy Evening For Babel

Ryan Babel has found Liverpool a bewildering kind of place in the past 12 months. He has often resorted to dodging the ice baths which his manger insists his players take after games and admits he has found rotation difficult to deal with.

But nothing could have prepared him for the crazy events of this crazy night. First he is dropped to allow Steven Gerrard the left wing birth he detests, then he watches Theo Walcott skip past five of his Liverpool team-mates to set up Emmanuel Adebayor's equaliser. Then he finishes off Arsenal single-handedly – winning a penalty in a tangle with Kolo Touré and running 20 yards to dispatch a goal of his own.

"Physically I'm not yet at the point that I'm able to play 90 minutes in the crazy tempo of the Premier League," Babel said recently. "Even against the smaller clubs it's difficult for me." But if every 10 minutes on the field gets results like this then Benitez will be more sparing with him again.

This was a priceless substitution made by a manager whose decision-making had proved rather less than convincing as the night wore on. Benitez decided he would fiddle, even in the game which would effectively end the season of one or other of the sides. So much for all the value of the legendary Anfield 12th man – the vocal Liverpool faithful which, even as the sides lined up, had Arsenal's players exchanging nervous glances. Benitez banked on his nearly man, Peter Crouch. For 10 minutes, the Spaniard appeared to have been vindicated.

That was the time it took Crouch to win half a dozen headers, reducing Philippe Senderos to pulp and even making William Gallas wonder whether it was really worth marking him. But Adebayor was threatening even more. Twice, he was narrowly ruled offside as he raced through the central channel off Sami Hyypia's shoulder. Then a turn of pace which took him past Jamie Carragher proved decisive in the move leading to Abou Diaby's thumping opener.

There were some anxious faces around Anfield in the half hour after that. When Mathieu Flamini was carried off with an ankle injury Benitez, notebook in hand, placed his hands on Alonso's shoulders to force his point.

Crouch had more than validated his appearance before setting up Liverpool's second goal, with another mighty jump which put Fernando Torres through. Torres then showed, with the exquisite two right-foot touches which he needed to swivel around Senderos and the third which sent an electrifying shot past Manuel Almunia, why Crouch might always struggle for a place here.

But a night whose closing stages defy much tactical talk belonged to Babel. "We needed pace and ability. I could see Torres was tired," Benitez said of the Dutchman's introduction last night and his late contribution assigns him a place in Anfield legend.

Champions League Preview: LiverpooL vs. Arsenal

Here we go again, onto Anfield and the third instalment of this fascinating trilogy. The sides have already played out two 1-1 draws at the Emirates in less than a week and now the action moves from north London to Liverpool where the home side look to hold a slight edge with an away goal in the bank and a fervent home support behind them.

The Premier League game on Saturday between the two sides saw both managers take the opportunity to rest players ahead of the second leg. Benitez surprised most people by making eight changes to his side and ensuring danger men Torres, Gerrard, Kuyt and Babel were well rested ahead of Tuesday night’s rematch.

For Arsenal, with the title still a possibility, there were less changes to the side. Hleb, Clichy and Adebayor all started on the bench but were forced into the fray after Liverpool had taken the lead.

As a much weakened Liverpool side managed to again hold Arsenal to a draw at the Emirates, it has been suggested that Liverpool hold the psychological advantage heading into the second leg. Certainly their superior European record and the fact they have an away goal will help the home side, as well the infamous Anfield crowd.

Arsenal’s youth has been much vaunted and praised this season but it may be their undoing in the second leg. Certainly they will need their more experienced players such as Gallas and Toure to be at their best if they are to make it into the semi-finals.

As the teams have already played each other three times this season and drawn on each occasion it is perhaps reasonable to assume the tie could end up honours even once again. This is something neither team will mind too much as, depending on the score line, a draw could send either side through to the next round.

Having scored at the Emirates, Liverpool will know that a 0-0 draw will be enough to take them through to the semi-finals. However Rafa Benitez will also know that that is a dangerous tactic to go for, especially against a team with the attacking prowess of Arsenal.

A 1-1 draw will take the tie into extra-time and possibly penalties and seeing as the sides have already played out this score line three times this season, it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see it again.

Anything more than a goal each and the tie suddenly swings in Arsenal’s favour. A 2-2 draw or above will see Liverpool’s one away goal at the Emirates all but forgotten and the Gunners triumph.

Of course if the match does go the way of the previous three then Arsene Wenger’s side will need to have practised their penalties. Liverpool’s record at penalty shoot-outs is nothing short of phenomenal having lost just once on penalties in 11 attempts (against Wimbledon in the League Cup in 1993).

Some of the Reds most recent triumphs have come from the penalty spot, as they took both the FA Cup Final against West Ham in 2006 and the Champions League final against AC Milan in 2005 on spot kicks. If after 120 minutes there is still nothing between the sides, Benitez’s men will not be afraid to win the tie from the penalty spot.

FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

5 April (Premier League) v Arsenal (A) DREW 1-1
2 April (Champions League) v Arsenal (A) DREW 1-0
30 Mar (Premier League) v Everton (H) WON 1-0
23 Mar (Premier League) v Man Utd (A) LOST 0-3
15 Mar (Premier League) v Reading (H) WON 2-1
11 Mar (Champions League) v Inter Milan (A) WON 1-0

Arsenal

5 April (Premier League) v Liverpool (h) DREW 1-1
2 April (Champions League) v Liverpool (h) DREW 1-0
29 Mar (Premier League) v Bolton (A) WON 3-2
23 Mar (Premier League) v Chelsea (A) LOST 1-2
16 Mar (Premier League) v Middlesbrough (H) DREW 1-1
09 Mar (Premier League) v Wigan (A) DREW 0-0

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Rafa Benitez surprised everyone by making eight changes for the league game at the Emirates but don’t expect him to keep the same team for the second leg. Torres, Gerrard, Alonso, Kuyt, Babel and Skrtel should all return after being rested at the weekend and expect Mascherano to return after suspension. Saturday’s goal scorer Peter Crouch may have to settle for a spot on the bench.

Liverpool last Starting XI (v Arsenal): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Plessis, Pennant, Benayoun, Lucas, Riise, Crouch

Arsenal

Arsene Wenger made five changes for the league game against Liverpool but expect his big hitters back for this match. Adebayor, Hleb and Clichy who all started on the bench on Saturday should be back in the first XI. Robin Van Persie is still struggling with injury so Bendtner may retain his place up front.

Arsenal last Starting XI (v Liverpool): Arsenal: Almunia, Justin Hoyte, Gallas, Toure, Traore, Eboue, Fabregas, Silva, Flamini, Bendtner, Walcott.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool: Dirk Kuyt

Whilst Fernando Torres has been, quite rightly, taking most of the plaudits the much-derided Dirk Kuyt could be the man to watch against Arsenal. He had an eventful first leg, scoring the equaliser and being lucky not to give away a penalty. However the Dutchman is the man to watch in Europe, not only is he Liverpool’s leading scorer in Europe this season with six goals he also has seven goals in his last ten European appearances.

Arsenal: Cesc Fabregas

The little Spaniard has looked tired in recent weeks but he is still probably one of the first names on the Arsenal team sheet. In the last round against AC Milan in the San Siro he produced a match-winning performance that took his team into the quarter finals. If the Gunners are going to triumph again, Wenger will need his midfield maestro to pull a similar performance out of the bag again.

Rafa: Winning Isn't Everything... It's The Only Thing

Rafael Benitez knows that tonight's Champions League showdown with Arsenal will make or break both clubs' seasons.

But the Liverpool manager says that should his side lose, and see a campaign that started with such hope crumble into a meaningless meander, he can not be judged on this one roll of the dice.

The Spaniard claims to see a bigger picture emerging at Anfield, a subtle masterpiece in which his side are developing the winning mentality that made the club great in the 70s and 80s, but was lost in the wilderness years of the 1990s.

And Benitez believes that his own 'win at all costs' mindset, created during his 20 years at Real Madrid, is beginning to filter through to his current players.

The coach revealed that even when playing games with his young daughters Claudia and Agnetha, he cannot bring himself to let them win.

"I have always been like that since I was little myself. I hated to lose. Ask my wife. She says to me 'you never let the girls win at anything', and it is true," Benitez explained. "Maybe sometimes I let the little one win once, but with the older one I always try to win.

"I was 10 years as a player and 10 years as a coach in the Real Madrid system, and finishing second there wasn't enough.

"I think that is why I have that mentality always to win. I am not nervous about pressure, I am not worried about having to win because it is part of the job. And I think we are introducing the same mentality back to the players here, where they used to have it always of course."

Benitez recognises that tonight's Champions League encounter with Arsenal will consign one of the sides to a season of relative failure, and the resulting ridicule that failing to match preseason expectations will bring.

He knows that much was expected of Liverpool during this campaign, but should they be left with only fourth place in the league to aim at, then it would be his side's worst performance during his four-year reign at the club.

But he claims that would be the wrong way to look at things. He believes he is developing the current crop of Anfield players into winners who can emulate their illustrious predecessors.

"You have to look at the bigger picture. Of course, if you win the Champions League then people will say fantastic, you are going in the right direction. And if you lose then they will say it is bad, you are not progressing, but it is not like that. Our future doesn't depend purely on this one game. Win or lose we are still progressing, we are bringing young players into the side with a winning mentality, our young reserve team is winning and our future is strong.

"You can see we have a winning mentality. We have won cups, we have got to finals, we have shown in the Champions League we are a side who can beat the best teams and we are a side that is feared. "And I believe that mentality is growing stronger every year.

"It is hard when you cannot take on Manchester United and Chelsea in the transfer market, but it is a question of finding the right players with the right mentality. We have some players with a clear winning mentality. If we want to keep that, then we have to win more trophies."

Benitez offered a revealing insight into his own outlook when he looked back on the Real Madrid European final that had the most impact on him, as a supporter, player and coach of the club.

For all their nine triumphs in the European Cup, he remembers their defeat to Liverpool in the Paris final of 1981 the most - when Alan Kennedy gave the Reds a 1-0 win.

"I still have that game on Betamax tape. Liverpool ruined my day then because I hate to lose. I hate it. The Real team had players I grew up with and played alongside and it was a sad moment," he explained.

"The keeper was Augustin Rodriguez who made the mistake. After 20 years of always winning, always having to win, you have a mentality and that influences my work as a coach.

"Because of the history of this club, the winning mentality they always used to have, people say we have to win more.

"But we need to understand that after some years of not winning trophies we are clearly rebuilding that," he explained.

"I think we can introduce it again - we are introducing it again - you can see the hunger of some of the players now and that is the key.

"Every day we analyse everything and every small detail and keep pushing, pushing the players if they make mistakes.

"It is the only way we can compete against the money of Manchester United and Chelsea, and we are becoming winners again."

TONIGHT'S BIG MATCH ODDS

Liverpool are 4/7 favourites, with Arsenal 5/4. The Gunners are 4/1 to be awarded a penalty - a bet Arsene Wenger might not want to take after the last two controversial games! The bookies offer 5/1 that the game again ends in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.

Rafa Happy With Progress

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes the club are moving in the right direction under his guidance.

Ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg clash with Arsenal, Benitez's future at Anfield has again come under the microscope with Europe's premier competition being Liverpool's only chance of silverware this season.

Benitez's future at Anfield has been the subject of speculation for some time after a much-publicised bust-up with the club's American owners last year.

Despite another disappointing Premier League campaign, Benitez feels Liverpool are progressing under him as they look to reach their third Champions League semi-final in four seasons.

"Really, when you are in this position, it means that something is good," Benitez told The Times. "It doesn't depend on one game - whether you are doing things good or bad. We know because we are here, we are not bad.

"We know we need to be more consistent in the Premier League, but the team now is fit. I am not the kind of manager who will change my opinion for one game.

"As a manager you must be consistent. I think we are going in the right direction, so one game will not change my idea."

Benitez also played down suggestions that the game against Arsenal could decide his future at the club.

"It's not easy to talk about the Champions League and what that means in terms of money for the big picture," added Benitez.

"But at least the professionals will need to know it's not one game that determines the idea and the future.

"We want to win, but not because we need to prove we are doing the right thing. It's clear we are moving in the right direction: the reserve team is winning the league, we have a lot of good young players coming in and, with players like Ryan Babel, Lucas Leiva, [Javier] Mascherano, [Daniel] Agger and [Martin] Skrtel, that is clear.

"If you win, everyone will say: 'Oh, fantastic, this is the right way' and if you lose they will say: 'It's not the right way', but I think everyone knows we are going in the right direction."

Rafa Benitez: We Can't Afford To Play It Safe Against Arsenal

Rafa Benitez fears Arsenal's goal threat at Anfield tonight and insists his side will go all out to reach the Champions League semi-final.

Benitez said yesterday that despite holding a vital away goal after the 1-1 draw at the Emirates, the Gunners' potency means his men cannot afford to be defensive. A goalless draw will be enough for the Reds to go through.

But Benitez wants his side to go for the throat. He said: "Arsenal usually score goals in the league," he said last night. "Manchester United's result helped a lot. If they had won, I'd have thought we couldn't, but now I still believe we'll do it.

"Defeat against Liverpool is not unthinkable. You have to accept you might lose, but what is important is that you can believe you can win. But if I didn't believe we could win the Champions League, I wouldn't be sitting here.

"We did have a dip recently, we can't deny that. But football is strange sometimes. We've dropped a few points, but we've been consistent since the beginning of the season.

"So it's possible we can win the last five games. I said that before the Liverpool game as well, but I said five games and one draw would make it. It's compulsory we win at Old Trafford on Sunday."

Arsenal need a near-miracle to save their once-promising season from collapse but Wenger clearly has faith his players can repeat the heroics that gave them victory at AC Milan in the last round.

He admitted he was becoming increasingly frustrated at his team's stuttering form, but insisted that despite his touchline histrionics against Liverpool on Saturday, he was not cracking up.

Wenger, whose side have not won a trophy for three years, said: "I'm physically agitated more because I want to score the goals rather than because I'm really nervous. It's not because I've not won anything for a long time. If I'd won every trophy last year, I'd be the same."

Arsenal will have to score in tonight's second leg, with Liverpool having left the Emirates with a 1-1 draw last week.

"We have belief we can win everywhere in the world," Wenger added. "We'll need a similar spirit to Milan. I believe we have to go into the game with the same positive attitude.

"Both teams will be under pressure, but that's normal at this stage of a season.

"I believe my team can win. I believe in the quality of my team and the quality of my players."

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor was also sure the team could rise to the occasion. "We still have big belief we can do it," said the Gunners star.

Reserves Crowned Champions, Thanks To Nemeth Strike

Congratulations go out to Liverpool Reserves after they secured the Barclays Premier Reserve League North title with a 1-0 win over Blackburn last night.

A real buzz of excitement has been growing among Reds fans who have been keeping a close eye on the excellent progress of Gary Ablett's young side this season.

Just last month a fine set of performances saw the young Reds return from America with the Dallas Cup and now they've secured the domestic league with two games to spare.

Ablett's side went into the game knowing victory would guarentee them the trophy and a stunning strike from Hungarian striker Krisztian Nemeth proved enough.

The presentation of the trophy will take place after Thursday's match against Manchester City at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Well done lads.

How pleased are you to see Liverpool's youngsters doing so well? Damien Plessis made his first-team bow at the weekend, but do you think we may see more debuts before the season's out? And, if so, who is next in line?

Rafa: Penalties? Not Just Yet

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has insisted his side won't be thinking about penalties going into the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal clash against Arsenal.

The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium. Emmanuel Adebayor gave the home side the lead, heading home from a Cesc Fabregas corner.

The marking was dreadful, but Liverpool made amends minutes later when a magnificent Steven Gerrard run set up Dirk Kuyt to tap in the equaliser.

Arsenal were the dominant side, but Liverpool also had their chances, and Benitez will be looking to do the small things right going into the second leg on home soil.

“You know always that the small things can be the difference,” he said.

“When you play against the top sides, you know a player can change the game, or there can be a mistake in a free-kick, in a one-versus-one situation.

“At the end, the difference between the draws and the wins, or if you lose are the smaller things and the influence of the top-class players.”

The Spanish tactician will be hoping for heart from his players and, should there be penalties, he will be quietly confident that he has the players to do the job.

“I believe sometimes it is more the heart than the quality of the players,” he said, regarding potential penalty takers.

“We will have some good players taking penalties, so I do not think we will practise too much.

“You know which players will be good when they are called from the halfway line. It is not just quality. It is important to be calm and to know what to do.

“When you talk about top-class players, with quality and experience in these situations. Sometimes they can be really good at 18, sometimes at 31 a player is not cool on penalties, so it depends on each one.

“I will not be thinking about penalties. We will be trying to use our experience during the game and not go to penalties.

“If we need to go to penalties, then they have quality and we have quality too.

“The penalties are really a lottery.”

Rafa Benitez Insists Liverpool Will Seek To Score Against Arsenal

Rafael Benitez insists Liverpool have no intention of playing for a goalless stalemate when they complete their trilogy against Arsenal tomorrow night.

The teams, sporting much-changed line-ups, met in the Premier League on Saturday and played out a second 1-1 draw at the Emirates in four days.

They clash again at Anfield tomorrow for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

With Dirk Kuyt’s away goal in the bag, Liverpool know a clean sheet would be enough to progress to the semi-final.

But manager Benitez said: “We have confidence, but know they have quality, can play well away and are dangerous.

“It is very difficult to play for a 0-0 draw. I don’t know how to do it.”

Liverpool’s draw at the weekend keeps them three points ahead of Everton in the race for fourth with just five games remaining.

Peter Crouch gave the visitors the lead on 41 minutes, with Nicklas Bendtner equalising nine minutes after the interval.

Benitez made eight changes from the team that faced the Gunners in the Champions League last Wednesday, handing a debut to 20-year-old French midfielder Damien Plessis.

And he praised his makeshift line-up, and said: “It was an open game at the end and we knew we had to work hard to control the game.

“We did that for long spells and scored a great goal, were well organised and in a good position.

“Crouch played really well, Benayoun, Riise too and the debut of Plessis. The work-rate was good from a lot of players who normally do not play. They all did well.

“We could have won because we had the chances, but then again we could also have lost as they had chances as well.

“At the end we are a little disappointed because we had one or two attacks towards the end to win the game – so it could have been better, but then again, it could have been worse.”

Of the wholesale team changes, Benitez added: “Arsene Wenger was trying to keep some players for the second leg, and we were trying to do the same. You could see that some of the players were tired.

“But they will play the next game with a lot of passion and I don’t think they will be tired.”

The result delivered a major blow to Arsenal’s faint hopes of winning the title.

But Benitez believes that could work against Liverpool, and said: “For both teams, Saturday was important – for us to be closer to the top four and for Arsenal to be in the race for the title.

“I think it will be difficult for them. I was asking Arsene before in the race for the title, you cannot lose points now.

“Maybe the only option now for them is the Champions League, which means they will be more dangerous for us.”

Liverpool Face Huge Test From Wounded Arsenal

Arsenal may be down but manager Arsene Wenger said they were very definitely not yet out of the hunt for major honours this season, which they can prove when they face Liverpool for the third time in a week on Tuesday.

Wenger takes his weary men to Anfield for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final after two 1-1 draws with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in the last few days.
Wednesday's draw in the first leg of their Champions League tie was followed by another 1-1 draw in the Premier League there on Saturday that left Arsenal third in the table and six points behind Manchester United with five matches to play.

Admitting to the club's Web site (www.arsenal.com) that Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy and Aleksandr Hleb were all "feeling tired", Wenger also said Arsenal's Champions League adventure was far from over.

"It's a very important one for us and for them. We will play our game on Tuesday night and try to win the game, and give absolutely everything," he said.

"Anyway, our season has not been disastrous, you know. People expected us to be between 10th and 12th at the beginning of the season so we are beyond expectation."

Arsenal proved against AC Milan in the last round they could overcome the disadvantage of a home draw in the first leg and win away to advance, which they did with a 2-0 win at the San Siro after a 0-0 draw at the Emirates.

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas, talking to Spanish TV channel Antenna 3, said that playing in front of Liverpool's passionate crowd on a European night could also help their chances.

"It is incredible the passion with which Liverpool fans live their games," he said. "Even the smallest cup game has the greatest atmosphere there, it is as if they play with 12 men. The good thing about playing away is that we don't have the pressure from our own fans."

Liverpool tend to reserve their best football for their European matches and defended superbly against Arsenal last week after falling behind to an Adebayor goal, equalising soon afterwards through Dirk Kuyt.

If they keep a clean sheet on Tuesday they will advance to the last four, with coach Rafa Benitez likely to try to frustrate Arsenal's exciting approach play then look for a quick breakaway from his own team to score on the counter-attack.

"Arsenal have a style that everyone knows," Benitez said after last Wednesday's match.

"They can have plenty of possession, they can play long passes with Fabregas, they can play in between with (Robin) van Persie or Hleb. So we knew we needed to work hard.

"We knew they would have possession so we needed to control, regain and play counter-attack."

Few teams can survive an Arsenal onslaught for a whole match but that is probably what Liverpool will have to do to capitalise on their home advantage and reach a semi-final against either Chelsea or Fenerbahce.

Probable teams:

Liverpool: Pepe Reina; Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Sami Hyypia, John-Arne Riise; Fabio Aurelio, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benayoun; Fernando Torres

Arsenal: Manuel Almunia; Kolo Toure, William Gallas, Phillipe Senderos, Gael Clichy; Emmanuel Eboue, Aleksandr Hleb, Matthieu Flamini, Cesc Fabregas; Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Adebayor.

Benitez Expects Tight Finish

Rafael Benitez knows there is a fine line between victory and failure - but remains convinced Liverpool have what it takes to make it through to the Champions League semi-finals next week.

The Reds secured a second 1-1 draw at Arsenal in the space of four days, which severely dented the Gunners' Barclays Premier League title hopes.

"You know always that the small things can be the difference," said the Spanish coach. "When you play against the top sides, you know a player can change the game, or there can be a mistake in a free-kick, in a one-versus-one situation. At the end, the difference between the draws and the wins, or if you lose are the smaller things and the influence of the top-class players."

Should the two sides draw 1-1 again on Tuesday night and remain unable to be separated after extra-time, then the right to play either Chelsea or Fenerbahce in the semi-finals of Europe's elite club competition would be decided on spot-kicks.

While the Liverpool manager - whose men knocked Chelsea out on penalties to reach the final last season - insists the shoot-out is a "lottery", Benitez feels it comes down as much to keeping a cool head under pressure as it does natural talent.

"I believe sometimes it is more the heart than the quality of the players," said the Liverpool manager. "We will have some good players taking penalties, so I do not think we will practise too much.

"You know which players will be good when they are called from the halfway line. It is not just quality. It is important to be calm and to know what to do.

"When you talk about top-class players, with quality and experience in these situations. Sometimes they can be really good at 18, sometimes at 31 a player is not cool on penalties, so it depends on each one.

"I will not be thinking about penalties. We will be trying to use our experience during the game and not go to penalties."

Crouch Hints At Anfield Departure

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has given the biggest hint yet that he will quit Anfield this summer to save his international career.

England boss Fabio Capello has made it perfectly clear to his players that he won't pick individuals who don't get regular match action for their clubs.

And with Crouch now an almost permanent fixture on the Liverpool bench, the signs are he'll need to move to remain involved in the international set-up.

The tall striker started Saturday's game with Arsenal, looking threatening and notching the opening goal of the game. But judging by his comments afterwards, it seems that performance was more an advert for the shop window than a challenge to coach Rafa Benítez to pick him for the forthcoming Champions League quarter-final rematch against the Gunners.

"It's pretty clear I probably won't start," he said. “Obviously if the manager plays one up front, he is more than likely to go with Fernando [Torres] - and rightly so, he's been fantastic this season. Before, when Rafa was rotating at least I was getting a game here and there. But the manager's obviously stuck with a formation now that seems to be working, and credit to the players that have been playing in that system.

"I would love to stay," continued Crouch when asked about his future. "It is a fantastic club and I love everything about it, but I have got to be realistic. If I want to have any aspirations of playing for England, or furthering my career, then I have to be playing - and that doesn't seem to be the case at the moment. I will have to look at it - but that's certainly something I won't be doing now, I will be doing it at the end of the season."