U guys remind me
Anfield cauldron calls for cool heads
Tuesday, 3 May 2005
By Simon Hart in Liverpool
Chelsea FC's treble-chasers arrived at Anfield on the eve of their UEFA Champions League semi-final with their manager José Mourinho claiming the pressure was all on opponents Liverpool FC.
'Heroes whatever happens'
Mourinho, whose squad enjoyed just an hour's celebrations after securing the Premiership title at Bolton Wanderers FC on Saturday, said his players were heroes whatever happens next. "I think the pressure is on [Liverpool]," the Portuguese said. "We'll go back to London as heroes independent of the result on Tuesday. I can imagine Anfield Road if they lose, I can imagine what it would mean for their supporters."
Confidence sky-high
While Mourinho's words seemed typical of the mind games that precede many a major match, there is no doubting the confidence in the Chelsea camp after the capture of their first championship in 50 years. Conversely for Liverpool, their best chance of playing in next season's Champions League would still appear to be by winning it, given their struggles in the Premiership, where they sit 33 points behind Chelsea.
Gerrard 'the key'
Still, one thing Liverpool have which Chelsea do not is Steven Gerrard, the man who resisted their overtures last summer. And manager Rafael Benítez believes his captain could be the player to punish Chelsea. "In my opinion Steve will be the key player for us. He can change a game. Against Middlesbrough [FC on Saturday] you saw the kind of goal that he can score, and I am sure he will play well. He knows how important the game is for the club."
Cautious approach
Important as it is, however, Benítez hinted at a cautious approach after the 0-0 first-leg draw. "What we can't do now is lose our cool," he said. Liverpool flew out of the blocks in the home leg of the quarter-final against Juventus, scoring twice inside 25 minutes but the Spaniard claimed his ideal scenario here would be to "score in the last minute and win 1-0". Mindful of their League Cup final defeat by the London side, where they led from the first minute to the 79th before losing, he explained: "If you start with a high tempo and score one goal, people can say, 'OK it's enough' but it's not enough against Chelsea."
Hamann returns
Liverpool could feature up to six changes from the side held 1-1 by Middlesbrough. Dietmar Hamann could make his first start in six weeks replacing the suspended Xabi Alonso, while Igor Bišcan may also bolster the midfield with Steven Gerrard taking an advanced role behind Milan Baroš. Chelsea's main selection doubts concern wingers Arjen Robben (ankle) and Damien Duff (hamstring). Robben has scarcely played since February but, in Mourinho's words, is "ready to risk it a little bit".
'It is 50-50'
Liverpool have lost only one of six previous semi-finals in this competition but have also won just once in seven matches against English opposition in Europe. Moreover, Chelsea have won five of the clubs' last seven meetings, including their last two matches at Anfield. Still, Benítez rated Liverpool's chances at "50-50", saying: "Chelsea have the most expensive team in the world and a good manager. But we have our supporters and Chelsea do not hold the balance, it is 50-50."
Second objective
The famous Anfield atmosphere does not daunt Mourinho, who responded: "The fans don't play - it's eleven players each side. When we left London to come north, we came with two objectives: to go back as champions, and to go back [having reached] the Champions League final. We've done one already, the other we will see."
source: uefa.com
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