Myjoyonline News
 Home Page
 General News
 Business
 Politics
 Sports
 Health
 Education
 Articles/Features
 Science & Technology
 Entertainment
 Travel/Tourism
 Africa & International
 Nations Cup 2008
 
 
Liverpool’s Gerrard gives Chelsea the edge in tonight’s clash
Previous Page
 
Steven Gerrard: Could he be playing mind games?
Steven Gerrard: Could he be playing mind games?
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has admitted Chelsea are favourites in their Champions League semi-final.

The sides meet at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday in the return leg following last week's 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Gerrard said: "I'll be realistic and say the advantage lies with Chelsea. They're a very good team and have been very strong at home for a long time.

"But we have shown over the last few years that we are a very good team away from home in Europe."

Liverpool have failed to score away to Chelsea in eight games under manager Rafael Benitez.

But Gerrard added: "We really feel that we are as good as Chelsea, if not better than them. We have certainly been the better team when we've played them this season."

John Arne Riise's own goal in the dying stages of the first leg saw the game swing dramatically in Chelsea's favour.

Avram Grant's side, who have not lost at home in 66 league and cup matches, know a home victory will be enough to put them through to the Champions League final for the first time in the club's history.

But Reds boss Benitez feels that Chelsea's previous exits at the semi-final stage may go against them.

They have lost to Liverpool at the final four stage in two of the last three seasons and Benitez said: "I think they want to win clearly and all their supporters will push and try to support the team.

"The players know it's an important game for them - three years to the final, they will be a little bit under pressure."

Benitez has also has questioned the referee, who will be Italian Roberto Rosetti for his "curious" record.

"This referee has had six games in Europe this season, five times the home team has won and the other was when Chelsea won in Valencia," said the Spaniard. "Maybe that is curious.

"The referee has experience, he is certainly not a bad referee. If he is strong at Stamford Bridge then things will be okay.

"The referee in the first leg was not good in virtually every decision but hopefully it will be different now."

Source: BBC



       

 
  Popular Stories


Search Our Website
 
 
 
OTHER SPORTS STORIES
   Kotoko must make amends
   FA and Kwasi Appiah, a spit in the air.
   Rejection shocks Ghana Paralympics team
   Milovan names first Ghana squad
   Hearts assures of a formidable team for next season
   Selection for Goal Hunt begins in September
   Gerrard misses England qualifiers
   Stars coach upbeat ahead of Libya clash
   Pure drama, painful defeat for Kotoko in Glo top 4
   Chelsea set to seal Robinho deal
   AngloGold will keep faith with AshGold
   Bolt eyes Real Madrid
   Milovan braces up for Tripoli test
   Asamoah Gyan picks injury at Rennes
   ‘I need job, not refresher course’