Wednesday, April 8, 2009

BENITEZ RUES DEFENSIVE MISTAKES

Paul Hassall at Anfield 08 April 2009

Rafael Benitez was left to rue costly defensive mistakes after Chelsea secured a commanding 3-1 lead in the first-leg of the Champions League quarter final at Anfield

The Reds boss was hugely frustrated by his side's performance after Fernando Torres' opener was cancelled out by efforts from Branislav Ivanovic (2) and Didier Drogba.

It means Liverpool need to score three times at Stamford Bridge to have any chance of progressing and the Spaniard concedes it will be a tall order for his team to book a place in the last four.

"We scored the first goal and were doing well," he told the post-match press conference. "After that we lost control and they had chances.

"We conceded from a corner from which we could have done better. It is difficult to stop them because they have five or six players who are really strong in the air. It was a free header and that was a mistake.

"We had three players around and didn't stop him (Ivanovic). When you have people in that zone you must control that space but clearly we made a mistake."

Asked what he said to the players in the dressing room after such a disappointing result, Benitez said: "We were talking about the next game because we have an important game on Saturday against Blackburn.

"We have to be ready for that. Then we can think about the second game. We have to score three goals to progress. It will be very, very difficult but we still have 90 minutes to play.

"We have to forget this one and start thinking about Blackburn first and only then can we look at the second leg."

Chelsea's response to going a goal behind saw them take on an attacking mentality that led to three priceless away goals.

Asked if he was caught off guard by their offensive tactics, Benitez said: "I wasn't surprised because Chelsea are a strong team.

"They have won 11 games away in the Premier League and have a lot of confidence and are playing well.

"You have to play really well to beat them. We started well but after that we didn't play to our level.

"To lose any game is difficult, especially in this competition because everyone was suggesting we had a good chance.

"We need to forget as soon as possible. We need to think about Blackburn and then we can concentrate on the Chelsea game."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163952090408-2237.htm

LIVERPOOL 1 - 3 CHELSEA

Champions League Quarter Final (1)

Liverpool 1 - 0 Chelsea
Torres
Ivanovic


Ivanovic


Drogba