Benitez keen to close domestic class gap

Rafael Benitez arrived at the majestic home of the Barclays Premiership’s champions-elect last night and declared that Liverpool would be competing for the title with Chelsea next season.

The gap between Chelsea and Liverpool – who come face to face tonight at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League semi-final first leg – is a massive 31 Premiership points.

But as Benitez prepared for what most observers believe is mission impossible tonight, he could not stop his mind wandering to next season.

He said: “We have not been able to reduce the gap between ourselves and Chelsea and Arsenal in the league, but next season it will be different because we (Benitez and his coaching staff) will have a better idea about the Premier League in our second season.

“When you win you think it is easy, but when you lose you learn more. And we are getting to know all the players around the country and we will reduce the gap next season.

“As for this game, it will be diferent to the Premier League and we have confidence that we can beat them. We will try to play a European game rather than a Premiership game.”

It is a European-style game that Liverpool have little problem with, but the Premier League has become a totally different situation for them as they are now left struggling to reach fourth spot and qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Benitez expects to have Milan Baros, Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia back from injury against Jose Mourinho’s side, while Harry Kewell is a shock addition to the squad after almost four months of injury woes.

The Spanish boss said: “Always in away games in Europe you must be sure of exactly what you need to do.

“We have nothing to fear about two games, we are not talking about nine months of league activity.

“But we believe we can beat them, we know that after what has happened in the games against them this season.”

Benitez relishes a battle with Mourinho, a manager he claims to admire and respect.

He said: “From the manager to their centre-forward, all at Chelsea are exceptional. They have a fantastic squad and are favourites.

“Jose has more possibilities than me. I am happy with my squad and players but it is easier with more money to buy the best and more of them.

“But I have confidence in the future. Jose is a very good manager but we will give this game everything and next season we will fight for the title, too.

“Like everyone they have problems and weaknesses, not a lot, but we will try to find them.”

Chelsea have beaten Liverpool three times this season already, but Benitez refuses to be downbeat.

He added: “The luck has to turn for us against Chelsea soon. In Spain we say that luck helps people who work properly, and you can be sure that we will work hard and properly for this tie, I can promise that because they do not have too many weaknesses.

“It is important to give ourselves options at Anfield for the second leg, maybe a 1-0 defeat in the first game is not that bad. We could lose four times to them this season and win the fifth, and that could be good enough.

“All our fans will be awaiting the second game, with their passion. They have confidence in us for away games in the Champions League and we will try to give them a good result and for them to be able to enjoy the second leg.”

Benitez is sure that Liverpool will produce a different style to their inconsistent domestic fortunes.

He says: “I am not nervous, just thinking about the game. I try to use my brain and not my heart for such occasions.

“I do not believe it is difficult to change the players’ mentality for a game like this. They know we must play well, score a goal and try to win.

“We may have to defend but our idea is to score and to bring them back to Anfield to face our supporters. That is such an important place for us in this tie.

“The players know how important this game is, they will rise to the occasion like they have done in Europe before.”