Rafa Benitez believes Liverpool's heroic but unsuccessful
attempt to claim a remarkable Champions League victory over Chelsea
can fire the team's bid to win the Premier League.
Benitez's side crashed out of Europe on Tuesday after narrowly
failing to overturn a 3-1 first deficit at Stamford Bridge.
Twice during the amazing 4-4 draw, Liverpool were within one
goal of going through, only to finally miss out when Frank
Lampard's last minute strike gave Guus Hiddink's men enough
breathing space to go through 7-5 on aggregate.
Despite the heartache of losing to Chelsea in the Champions
League for the second successive season, Benitez sees no reason to
be downcast.
The Liverpool manager is convinced his team's gutsy display
proves they have the character to overhaul Premier League leaders
Manchester United.
The Reds are one point behind United and face a crucial match at
home to Arsenal next Tuesday.
"We are not happy with the result. When you lose you are
disappointed but to lose in this way, the players have to be really
proud and hold their heads up high," Benitez said.
"We showed character, quality and we have to be really proud.
The players have done a fantastic job and the fans will be very
pleased with the team.
"You are always disappointed to lose but thinking about the
Premier League maybe it is positive because we showed we can score
four goals at Stamford Bridge, so we can do the same at any
stadium.
"We can win a lot of games with this mentality."
Liverpool can take extra pride in pushing Chelsea so close
despite being without captain Steven Gerrard. The England
midfielder didn't even make the bench after tweaking a groin injury
24 hours before the match, but Benitez expects him to be fit for
the Arsenal clash.