Monday, April 13, 2009

RAFA: STEVIE CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Paul Hassall at Melwood 13 April 2009

Rafael Benitez believes an in-form Steven Gerrard could be the key to Liverpool producing a famous Champions League win at Chelsea.

The skipper was an unused substitute in Saturday's clash against Blackburn and the Spaniard is hoping a fresh Gerrard can inspire his side as the Reds look to overturn a 3-1 deficit.

"He is better but he is still working with the physios," the boss told a pre-match press conference at Melwood. "He will have one more day of training and then after we will see how he feels.

"It makes a difference if we play with him. Clearly we need him, he is a key player for us. Everything can change if he can play and if he plays well.

"We will talk with the doctor and with him before the game. It is not a massive risk but there is a small one because you could lose the player for 10-15 days and that would be bad. He was playing with some problems before though, so I think we can manage."

Liverpool need to score three goals at Stamford Bridge to have any chance of progressing to the last four of the competition. Asked if his side could call upon the inspiration of Istanbul, Benitez said, "It would be good and could be helpful.

"If we have the fans behind us and can give them something from the beginning, then it would be a very good inspiration.

"You approach the games away thinking about winning. In this case, if it is possible, we need to score an early goal and then we will play with more confidence.

"It's not a question of the managers, the players on the pitch can make a massive difference. Okay, we will try to help but clearly it will be the players. If we win it will be them, if we lose it will be us all together."

After conceding two set pieces against Chelsea in the first-leg Liverpool's use of zonal marking has come under great scrutiny.

However, Benitez insists it is still the best system for his side to use.

"They (Chelsea) have six or seven players that are really good in air, and that was clear the other day," he said.

"We talked about zonal marking but we scored against Blackburn who use man-to-man marking and yesterday you could see goals conceded between Aston Villa and Everton using man-to-man.

"So in the end it depends on the quality of the players in the air.

"It has been good for us in the past so hopefully it (zonal) will be good in the future."

Asked if the Reds could take heart from Bolton's three-goal salvo against Chelsea at the weekend, the boss added: "Yes. If you play well and have a bit of luck, you can score a goal, so we will see. It will be good for the club if we can win, so we will try to win."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163991090413-1018.htm

TORRES: UNITED WIN GIVES US BELIEF

Paul Hassall 13 April 2009

Fernando Torres feels Liverpool's 4-1 win at Old Trafford should give them the belief they can pull off a famous comeback against Chelsea in the Champions League.

The Spanish forward netted a confidence boosting double in Saturday's 4-0 win over Blackburn Rovers and is now urging his teammates to hit the goal trail in the quarter-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.

"We have kept our confidence after the Champions League game and it was important to win for the fans," he said.

"It was an important victory because it was the last game at home before the Hillsborough memorial service and I think they enjoyed it.

"I hope that we can score three goals against Chelsea. We know it is a very difficult.

"They are a strong team, but we have confidence, we can do it and we have to go there to win the game. We beat Manchester United 4-1 at Old Trafford so we know we can do it.

"We know it is difficult and it is difficult to score against them, but we will prepare the game and see what happens.

"I think Chelsea will play for a win. If they score one or two it is over, so they will not just defend."

Torres got Liverpool off to the perfect start on Saturday with a sensational dipping volley that has earned comparisons with Marco Van Basten's goal for Holland against Russia in the final of Euro 88.

Asked if he was pleased with the goal, he said: "It was a good day for me.

"The first one was a great goal and a great start to the game. To then get three more goals was good for the team.

"I work hard on my heading so I was pleased with the second one. I am always pleased to score at Anfield and I almost had a hat-trick but the main thing was to win and stay fit for Tuesday which is a big game."

After a sensational first season in English football Torres' impact on the current campaign has been hampered by injuries.

He admits it has left him frustrated at times but is confident he has now put his problems behind him.

"It has been really frustrating to miss league games this season," he said.

"Just 19 league games and 11 goals is a good record.

"We have to try and learn from this for next season and try and help me stay 100 per cent fit for all the games."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163990090413-0927.htm

ALONSO: WE HAVE TO FIND THE BALANCE

Steve Hunter 13 April 2009

Xabi Alonso insists Liverpool will need to find the right balance between attack and defence at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night and not leave gaps at the back for Chelsea to exploit.

Rafael Benitez's side must score three times against Guus Hiddink's outfit to stand any chance of progressing, but despite last season's runners-up being favourites, the Spanish playmaker remains confident that the tie is far from over.

"There is hope," Alonso told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"We know it is going to be a very difficult task to score three goals, but as long as we have a little chance then we are going to try and fight for it and go there and try to do our best.

"I think that it will be the closest to perfect if we can go there, score three goals and beat them.

"We will need to have a very attacking mentality because we need to score a lot of goals. By the same way we can't go desperate all-out attack because if you do that you will have more chances to concede.

"We will need to keep the balance but with an attacking mind of course."

The midfield will be boosted by the return of Javier Mascherano after suspension and Alonso said: "It is always good to have as many options as possible and good for the manager to have everyone available for this game."

Reflecting on the disappointing first leg, Alonso said every player is determined to put things right in the capital tomorrow night.

"Once we conceded the first goal we knew it was going to be hard and difficult because we had conceded an away goal," he said.

"I think maybe it affected us more than what it should have.

"The second half wasn't the best. The played well and controlled the game. We were not calm enough and they deserved to win. The result was very bad for us.

"You have to give credit to them. They have a great team and sometimes when they perform that well it is difficult to beat them.

"We made some very uncommon mistakes ourselves and that's something we will have to look at and try to improve for this game."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163987090413-0723.htm

TORRES: WIN WILL LIFT US

Paul Hassall 12 April 2009

Fernando Torres believes Liverpool's 4-0 demolition of Blackburn will give them a huge lift ahead of their Champions League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Spanish striker admits the Reds were hugely disappointed by the manner of their 3-1 first-leg defeat against the Blues at Anfield and feels their rout of Rovers will lift spirits as they bid to rescue the tie.

"It was a great result coming after the game against Chelsea," said Torres. "The last game wasn't good, but we've done our job.

"We have confidence after this result to go to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday."

Torres got Liverpool off to a flier against Rovers with a stunning fifth minute volley that set the tone for the remainder of the match.

Asked if he felt it was one of the best he's ever scored for the Reds, he said: "Sometimes you try to score like this, but normally the ball goes out," he added. "But this one went in. It was a good goal."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163984090412-0842.htm

YOSSI: TORRES IS WORLD'S BEST STRIKER

Paul Hassall 12 April 2009

Yossi Benayoun hailed Fernando Torres as the best striker in the world after the Spaniard hit a magnificent double in the 4-0 victory over Blackburn on Saturday.

The Israeli was left searching for superlatives after El Nino inspired the Reds to a morale-boosting triumph with a brace that included a stunning volley that could well be a goal of the season contender.

"That's what you get with Torres," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"He is always a threat. He is the best striker in the world. The goals that he scores are just unbelievable. Look at the first one today. It was incredible. He makes it look so simple too. It's always easier for us as a team when he is playing."

blackburn


The win saw Liverpool briefly return to the summit prior to Manchester United's narrow win at Sunderland and Benayoun admits it was important the Reds reacted positively after their shock Champions League defeat against Chelsea on Wednesday night

"It was important that we responded after the disappointment of the Chelsea defeat," he said.

"We have to give everything in the Premier League and keep fighting to the end. We must keep winning to put pressure on Man United. Hopefully it will be enough to see us win the title.

"The win has restored our confidence and that was important. We know it will be very difficult on Tuesday at Chelsea. We will look to give 100 per cent and try our best and then see what happens. You never know in football - anything can happen."

Prior to kick off Anfield fell silent to mark the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster and Benayoun was pleased the Reds were able to cap the afternoon with the three points.

"It is very sad and we will all attend the service on Wednesday and pay our respects," he said. "We have to make sure something like that never happens again.

"The crowd were amazing today and hopefully we gave them something to cheer at a difficult time."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163983090412-0830.htm

LIVERPOOL 4-0 BLACKBURN: IN PICTURES

Pictures by David Rawcliffe of Propaganda 13 April 2009

Liverpool kept up the pressure in the Barclays Premier League title race with a superb 4-0 win over Blackburn Rovers on an emotional day at Anfield. Here's the best of the action in pictures.



































LIVERPOOL 4 - 0 BLACKBURN

Premiership

LIVERPOOL 4 - 0 BLACKBURN
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