Post by Taxigirl on May 3, 2005 7:41:09 GMT
skysports.planetfootball.com
by Alex Dunn
Liverpool host Chelsea on Tuesday evening for a place in the UEFA Champions League final and the mind games have already started.
Both Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez have claimed total confidence in their respective sides' ability to finish off the tie, which stands at 0-0, with the Chelsea chief typically cocksure in his appraisal of the game.
Having claimed Europe's premier trophy last term with Porto and having claimed a domestic double already at Chelsea, Mourinho is understandably in buoyant mood ahead of his trip to Anfield.
''I do not know the feeling of losing a semi-final,'' said Mourinho. ''One day I will have to be beaten, but not this week.
''Liverpool have more power in their legs, but we have more power in our minds from winning the championship.''
Although cool in his pre-match evaluation, Mourinho will be concerned with the fact Damien Duff is unlikely to take any part - with the influential Irishman having left training after only ten minutes on Sunday.
While Duff appears a casuality to his hamstring, fellow forward Arjen Robben is also struggling with the ankle injury which has blighted his season.
The flying Dutchman, who missed Chelsea's capture of Arsenal's Premiership crown at the weekend, is likely to start from the bench - with Joe Cole to continue his fine recent form behind Didier Drogba - who acts as a lone front man.
In-form Eidur Gudjohnsen will continue in a withdrawn role behind his Ivory Coast colleague, while a previously peripheral Geremi could continue at right back in place of the inconsistent Glen Johnson.
While Chelsea will lack the penetration offered by Duff and Robben, Liverpool will miss the midfield guile of Xabi Alonso, who is absent through suspension following a dubious booking at Stamford Bridge.
Igor Biscan will hope to continue his excellent recent European form in Alonso's absence, whilst German Didier Hamann will be used in an anchoring role, that will allow Steven Gerrard to play in a more advanced position.
With Fernando Morientes cup-tied and Djibril Cisse still lacking full match fitness, Milan Baros will continue to plough a lonely furrow, while the key to Liverpool's success could be the partnership of Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia at the heart of their rearguard.
Whilst Mourinho is exuding characteristic confidence, ahead of what should be a pulsating clash, Benitez is doing likewise.
''I can say we will win,'' said the Spaniard. ''Because we have confidence.
''We play against a good team, but I know we can beat them because they have a weakness, and we have looked at them.''
by Alex Dunn
Liverpool host Chelsea on Tuesday evening for a place in the UEFA Champions League final and the mind games have already started.
Both Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez have claimed total confidence in their respective sides' ability to finish off the tie, which stands at 0-0, with the Chelsea chief typically cocksure in his appraisal of the game.
Having claimed Europe's premier trophy last term with Porto and having claimed a domestic double already at Chelsea, Mourinho is understandably in buoyant mood ahead of his trip to Anfield.
''I do not know the feeling of losing a semi-final,'' said Mourinho. ''One day I will have to be beaten, but not this week.
''Liverpool have more power in their legs, but we have more power in our minds from winning the championship.''
Although cool in his pre-match evaluation, Mourinho will be concerned with the fact Damien Duff is unlikely to take any part - with the influential Irishman having left training after only ten minutes on Sunday.
While Duff appears a casuality to his hamstring, fellow forward Arjen Robben is also struggling with the ankle injury which has blighted his season.
The flying Dutchman, who missed Chelsea's capture of Arsenal's Premiership crown at the weekend, is likely to start from the bench - with Joe Cole to continue his fine recent form behind Didier Drogba - who acts as a lone front man.
In-form Eidur Gudjohnsen will continue in a withdrawn role behind his Ivory Coast colleague, while a previously peripheral Geremi could continue at right back in place of the inconsistent Glen Johnson.
While Chelsea will lack the penetration offered by Duff and Robben, Liverpool will miss the midfield guile of Xabi Alonso, who is absent through suspension following a dubious booking at Stamford Bridge.
Igor Biscan will hope to continue his excellent recent European form in Alonso's absence, whilst German Didier Hamann will be used in an anchoring role, that will allow Steven Gerrard to play in a more advanced position.
With Fernando Morientes cup-tied and Djibril Cisse still lacking full match fitness, Milan Baros will continue to plough a lonely furrow, while the key to Liverpool's success could be the partnership of Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia at the heart of their rearguard.
Whilst Mourinho is exuding characteristic confidence, ahead of what should be a pulsating clash, Benitez is doing likewise.
''I can say we will win,'' said the Spaniard. ''Because we have confidence.
''We play against a good team, but I know we can beat them because they have a weakness, and we have looked at them.''