Liverpool go for glory

LONDON – Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has told his team to look to the future rather than dwell on their 2005 victory over Chelsea when the sides meet again in the semi-finals of the Champions League tonight.

Two years ago this week Liverpool drew 0-0 at Stamford Bridge at the same stage of the competition before winning the second leg 1-0 at Anfield with a hotly disputed goal from Luis Garcia after only four minutes’ play. Benitez then saw his team triumph in the final against AC Milan in Istanbul to lift the European Cup for the fifth time in their history.If they beat Chelsea again they will face Milan in the final again if the Italians overcome Manchester United in the other semi-final.Benitez though, told the club’s Web site (www.liverpoolfc.tv) that his team had to forget about 2005.He also said his side will go for goals at Stamford Bridge but conceded he did not think there would be many in the tie.Liverpool head for London after a routine 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic in the Premier League on Saturday and Benitez reports no serious injury concerns.Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho does have worries.Midfielder Michael Essien is suspended and Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho and Germany midfielder Michael Ballack are injury doubts.Ballack limped off in the first half of Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Newcastle United.With Essien out and Carvalho a possible absentee, more responsibility will fall on John Terry to keep things tight at the back.Mourinho will also be without Netherlands winger Arjen Robben (knee) but may opt to play his other two wide men, Shaun Wright-Phillips, who has been on his best form since joining the club in 2005 and Joe Cole, recently returned from injury, who has a good scoring record against Liverpool.But mindful of the need to avoid conceding away goals to Liverpool, he is more likely to keep one on the bench and use the imposing presence of Nigerian John Obi Mikel to neutralise Liverpool’s movement out of midfield.Chelsea, busy in their quest for a record quadruple of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League titles after securing the League Cup, looked jaded on Sunday.Liverpool with just European glory on their minds, will be the fresher side on Wednesday and have also won three of their last four matches against Chelsea, including the season-opening Community Shield match at Cardiff in August.Wednesday’s match will be the 14th time the teams have played each other over the last three seasons, with Chelsea having won six, Liverpool four and three drawn.Nampa-ReutersBenitez then saw his team triumph in the final against AC Milan in Istanbul to lift the European Cup for the fifth time in their history.If they beat Chelsea again they will face Milan in the final again if the Italians overcome Manchester United in the other semi-final.Benitez though, told the club’s Web site (www.liverpoolfc.tv) that his team had to forget about 2005.He also said his side will go for goals at Stamford Bridge but conceded he did not think there would be many in the tie.Liverpool head for London after a routine 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic in the Premier League on Saturday and Benitez reports no serious injury concerns.Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho does have worries.Midfielder Michael Essien is suspended and Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho and Germany midfielder Michael Ballack are injury doubts.Ballack limped off in the first half of Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Newcastle United.With Essien out and Carvalho a possible absentee, more responsibility will fall on John Terry to keep things tight at the back.Mourinho will also be without Netherlands winger Arjen Robben (knee) but may opt to play his other two wide men, Shaun Wright-Phillips, who has been on his best form since joining the club in 2005 and Joe Cole, recently returned from injury, who has a good scoring record against Liverpool.But mindful of the need to avoid conceding away goals to Liverpool, he is more likely to keep one on the bench and use the imposing presence of Nigerian John Obi Mikel to neutralise Liverpool’s movement out of midfield.Chelsea, busy in their quest for a record quadruple of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League titles after securing the League Cup, looked jaded on Sunday.Liverpool with just European glory on their minds, will be the fresher side on Wednesday and have also won three of their last four matches against Chelsea, including the season-opening Community Shield match at Cardiff in August.Wednesday’s match will be the 14th time the teams have played each other over the last three seasons, with Chelsea having won six, Liverpool four and three drawn.Nampa-Reuters