SPANIARD SEEKS ISTANBUL INSPIRATION

Jimmy Rice 09 April 2009

Alvaro Arbeloa today had one word for anyone who believes Liverpool are out of the Champions League: Istanbul.

Rafa Benitez's side need to score at least three goals at Stamford Bridge next week after losing the home leg of their quarter-final 3-1.

Arbeloa knows it will be tough but hopes the Reds can recreate their heroics from the 2005 Champions League final, when they overturned a 3-0 half-time deficit to lift the trophy.

"We can do it - why not? We believe we can," the Spanish full-back told Liverpoolfc.tv. "We have to go there and fight, try to get one goal and then think about another.

"Liverpool won a Champions League final by scoring three goals in 45 minutes, so why can't we get three in 90?

"I think we have to remember Istanbul and believe. We know it's going to be difficult to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge but it's not over."

Liverpool led 1-0 after six minutes thanks to a Fernando Torres strike, but two Branislav Ivanovic headers turned the tie on its head before Didier Drogba inflicted more pain on Anfield.

Arbeloa added: "Maybe we defended too deep after the first goal - we gave them too much of the ball. We conceded and that was painful - and then we conceded again."

Meanwhile, Lucas Leiva insists Liverpool have already proved they can score goals in the toughest stadiums this term.

The Brazilian played a starring role in the 4-1 win at Old Trafford last month and is in no doubt that he and his teammates can do the same in south west London.

"We know it will be really difficult but it's not impossible," Lucas told us. "Chelsea came here and scored three, and we have the quality to do the same there.

"We will have to try until the very last minute at Stamford Bridge. I think we need the perfect performance.

"It's a different game but we have shown already this season we can win 4-1 at places like Old Trafford."

Liverpool now have two days before resuming their title charge in Saturday's lunch-time kick-off against Blackburn.

A win would see the Reds leapfrog leaders Manchester United, who travel to Sunderland at 3pm.

Lucas added: "We are really disappointed but we have to forget about this now because we have a really important game on Saturday, then the second leg.

"We can't talk too much now about the Champions League because we have a massive game in two days' time against Blackburn.

"It is impossible not to think about this game afterwards when you go home, but at training the next day you have to focus on Blackburn. Hopefully we won't make the same mistakes because we still have chances in the title race."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163954090409-0851.htm