Liverpool boss taunts Chelsea ahead of Champions League decider

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez answers questions during a press conference at Anfield, 30 April 2007. Benitez has taunted Jose Mourinho ahead of Liverpool's Champions League semi-final decider by claiming Chelsea are under even more pressure after suffering a huge setback to their title hopes.

Rafa Benitez has taunted Jose Mourinho ahead of Liverpool's Champions League semi-final decider by claiming Chelsea are under even more pressure after suffering a huge setback to their title hopes.

Chelsea carry the advantage into Tuesday's second leg after establishing a narrow 1-0 first leg at Stamford Bridge last week.

But Benitez is confident his players can still make it through and believes the title blow Chelsea suffered at the weekend has left the big-spending London club scrambling to salvage their season.

Chelsea were held 2-2 at home by Bolton, leaving them five points adrift of leaders Manchester United with three games left.

"It's clear they will be under pressure because they were talking about trophies, trophies, trophies," said Liverpool manager Benitez.

"Now, maybe, they have one less to go for. The Champions League will be their priority now and they will be more dangerous because they want to win it."

Despite trailing from the first leg, Benitez said his players can make it another special European Anfield night by scoring the two goals they need to reach the final.

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso answers questions during a press conference at Anfield on 30 April 2007. Liverpool is preparing to take on Chelsea in the second leg of their Chamipons League semi-final on 01 May 2007.

"We approach the second leg with confidence," added Benitez.

"It's very important we play with a high tempo from the beginning, but we also have to be patient.

"We have to be well organised because if we concede one goal then it's going to be really difficult.

"But we have confidence. Two seasons ago in the Champions League we conceded against Olympiakos and needed to score three goals in the second half which we did. But it will be better if we score two goals and don't concede.

"I don't like to talk about who is the favourite. They lead 1-0 and they have an advantage. We know we need to play really well against a good team. For me it's not the key if they are the favourites or if we are favourites. It's more important if we have confidence.

"We didn't play well in the first leg and conceded one goal. We only had six or seven players playing at a good level but if we have 10 or 11 then we have a very good chance."

Chelsea will be without influential defender Ricardo Carvalho, but Benitez insists Chelsea still have enough quality to pose a major threat to Liverpool's hopes of being crowned European champions for a sixth time.

Liverpool forward Craig Bellamy takes part in a training session in Melwood, 30 April 2007. Liverpool is preparing to take on Chelsea in the second leg of their Chamipons League semi-final on 01 May 2007.

"If Carvalho can't play then I think they will still have enough quality in the squad. I don't think he's more important than John Terry, but I'm not worried about who will play for Chelsea. I'm more concerned about my team."

Xabi Alonso believes Liverpool are stronger than two seasons ago when they won the competition after defeating Chelsea at the same stage.

But the Spanish midfielder insists Liverpool, who are set to recall Peter Crouch to the attack, must perform much better than they did last week - or forget the final in Athens on May 23.

"I think this side is better than two years ago, but at this point I think Chelsea are favourites," said Alonso, who helped defet Chelsea 2-0 in the league at Anfield in January.

"It's important we don't concede a goal because it will make the situation more complicated.

"We know we made some mistakes at Stamford Bridge and it's important we don't do that again.

"Chelsea have the goal and they didn't concede at home. It's going to have to be a patience exercise from our point of view.

"Chelsea are a very good team. They are the current Premiership champions. They haven't achieved that level in Europe and that's something they want to change this season. It's something we can't let them achieve.

"I think both sides are feeling the pressure. We are feeling our own pressure because we know it's our big chance to lift a trophy and this is going to be the most important game of the season so far."