Fantastic fans the driving force, says Benitez

LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez believes the crowd at Anfield inspired his players to their fantastic Champions League victory over Chelsea.

Benitez said the key to the 1-0 win was "to work hard and have our supporters behind us and believe until the end. When you have your supporters behind you, you run a little bit more."

The former Valencia boss, who won the UEFA Cup last season, believes his side could have been awarded a penalty if Luis Garcia had not scored after Petr Cech had brought down Milan Baros.

Benitez said: "I haven't seen (the goal), maybe it's a red card for the goalkeeper and a penalty."

But the Spaniard believes his side deserved to win the tie to send them in the final where they will probably meet AC Milan, who lead PSV Eindhoven 2-0 going into tonight's second leg.

He added: "We had a good game, the same as the first leg. We need to enjoy it today, if Milan is the team we will try."

Liverpool's man of the match Jamie Carragher stressed that the team could not afford to bask in the glory of beating Chelsea as they had to go on and win the trophy.

Carragher and Sami Hyypia stood firm in the face of sustained Chelsea pressure but despite ecstatic scenes at the final whistle the England defender said they could not allow their focus to drift

"This club has been built on those type of nights and they have been taken away from us in the last few years but we were desperate to get back to those nights," he said.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet. There were great scenes at the end but at the end of the day it is only a semi-final. This is not finished, there is still a cup to be won."

Carragher admitted the goal may have been fortunate but he added: "I think we were due a bit of luck against Chelsea. Whether it was in or not, it was our turn."

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was full of praise for Carragher, who has been the Reds' most consistent and committed performer all season.

"What a performance, this guy put in an immense performance, unbelievable," he said.

"Chelsea put us under pressure but we defended well. We beat the Premiership champions today. It was the first time in five goes this season but it was worth the wait."

Gerrard too was unconcerned about the debate raging over the goal.

"We are in the final, whether it was a goal or not," he said, before going on to praise the supporters who made it such a special night. It is hard to find words to describe the fans."

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said he hoped Liverpool went on to win the final in Istanbul later this month but, in typical style, claimed his team deserved to have gone through on the night.

"The best team lost and we are very sad we did but at the same time we must understand what football is," he said.

The Portuguese manager referred to the Chelsea's victory over Liverpool in the Carling Cup final when the Reds scored in the first minute but then spent the rest of the match defending and lost in extra-time.

"This game was a copy of the game in Cardiff where one team scored a goal in the beginning of the game," he added.

"In Cardiff it was a wonderful goal (by John Arne Riise). In this, no-one knows if it's a goal not even the linesman. Tactics is with Rafa. He is responsible for them and they are happy they reached the final.

"I don't want to criticise them but they played the way they wanted, they fought a lot. I have to give them credit for that. We are disappointed but at the same time I am very proud of my players.

"And from my heart I hope Liverpool win the Champions League."