Confident Benitez focused on winning semi-final clash
Chelsea have lost only one of those previous nine games since Benitez took over at Anfield, but the past means nothing to the Spaniard.
Benitez said: “We have a lot of players with experience, we do not feel pressure and we aim to win. These are the games we want to win.
“It is important to approach these games with confidence. We are closer to them, you can see that, and we will try to get closer still.”
Recent clashes with Chelsea have been controversial.
First there was the Michael Essien tackle on Dietmar Hamann that ended with a UEFA ban for the Chelsea man.
Next came the red card for Jose Reina, coupled with claims Arjen Robben dived to get the Liverpool goalkeeper into trouble.
However, Benitez believes his men can keep cool at Old Trafford, saying: “We have enough experience. We are focused on one game, a semi-final. We do not need to use previous incidents as motivation, we are motivated enough.
“Jose [Mourinho] and me, we are different, everybody can see that. But I do not like to talk about other managers. I will just try to improve myself and my team, nothing else really matters.”
Benitez, who will have skipper Steven Gerrard back from a minor hamstring injury, dismissed midweek speculation of Real Madrid’s interest.
“Gerrard is not for sale and I won’t waste my time talking about this. We are focused on the semi-final, not things like that,” the Liverpool boss said. “Steven feels the same, his commitment to the club is very important.
“Maybe in the summer there will be other speculation about Gerrard, but he is a good player, it is to be expected.
“But he is not for sale. I understand what is going on at Real Madrid and I do not intend to waste my time talking about this.”
Benitez clearly is intent on a calm approach and is concentrating solely on beating Chelsea.
“It is not easy [to win] a trophy every year. We are trying to win them and trying to progress and I have confidence we can get to the final,” the Spaniard continued.
“We know we are playing against a very good team but I am confident our team will be in the final.
“The last two seasons have seen us playing a lot with trophies at stake. It becomes more difficult and the rivalry grows.
“But rivalry like that is normal if you are a big club and want to win things.
“We are closer to Chelsea. The table says that, as it does about Manchester United and Arsenal compared to us.
“But I only intend to focus on this game, not previous matches or the other team.”
Benitez goes into the game having secured Champions League qualification and third spot, and with high praise from chief executive Rick Parry.
Parry said: “The last time we qualified for the Champions League was just prior to our last game but we were sweating on it for much of the season.
“It was more comfortable in 2002, but in 2001 we also had to wait for the last game. Clearly there’s been a huge improvement on last term in achieving qualification so early, but also more importantly by narrowing the gap to Chelsea.
“We’ve been 30 points adrift for the last two seasons and although there are still three games to play, it’s clear we’re a lot closer now.”
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