Benitez backs Reds for final
23 Apr 2008 - 07:26:31
Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool can end their Stamford Bridge goal jinx and overcome Chelsea in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final next week.
The Reds must score at least once at Stamford Bridge - something they have failed to do in Europe under Benitez - if they are to claim a place in the final after John Arne Riise's stoppage time own goal secured Chelsea a 1-1 first leg draw at Anfield on Tuesday.
Liverpool had led through Dirk Kuyt's first-half goal before the late drama put Chelsea in the box seat to reach next month's final in Moscow.
"I realise we have not scored a goal at Chelsea in the Champions League over the past four seasons but there is always a first time," said a disappointed Benitez.
"If we play as well as we did in the first leg and take the chances we created, we will get to the final.
"We must now be positive and clear our minds. If we play like that at Stamford Bridge next week and take those chances, we will go through.
"We have confidence in ourselves. I am confident we can do it.
"I will recall the first 20 minutes of the second period when we were very much on top of Chelsea. If we can do that again at Stamford Bridge, we can still get to the final."
Benitez was also unhappy with the performance of referee Konrad Plautz for the amount of stoppage time he allowed.
"It was a difficult match and I was very disappointed with the referee. This was not the first time," he continued.
"We knew what to expect because we'd had him before against Marseille.
"He gave just one minute injury-time in the first period and four in the second - it was hard to understand."