Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Liverpool 'on a roll' for Arsenal

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez believes the momentum is with his team as they go into their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Arsenal at Anfield tonight.

The two teams meet for the third time in seven days this evening, having shared 1-1 draws in European competition last week and in the Premier League on Saturday.


However, Liverpool tonight have the advantage courtesy of Dirk Kuyt's away goal at the Emirates last Wednesday and a clean sheet would be enough to see them advance into the semi-finals.


But with Arsenal having only failed to score in four of their last 26 away games this season, Benitez has said will not be aiming for a goalless draw.


Benitez said: "Arsenal know we are on a good run now, we are playing well. But clearly you can see the mood between the players, the mood and the atmosphere and the confidence. It's a good moment.


"But also I have told them be careful, Arsenal are a good team and usually score away goals so when people have been talking about us being favourites, I don't think that is the case.


"We need to win. I'm not thinking '0-0, fantastic'. At the end, I might say 'fantastic', but we need to score and win.


"The only advantage we have is that we are playing at Anfield with our supporters. We have confidence we can win. You could feel the atmosphere against Chelsea in the semi-final last season, and I expect that to be the same this time. Our fans can also hold the key.


"It is easy to say that you do not have any problems with big crowds in away games of this importance. But when you have to face our fans for 90 minutes, then it is not easy for the majority of players.


"Arsenal have been here before. But the difference is the Champions League, it's knock-out now and that is the difference."

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