Reds season 2007/08 - the final leg

Jamie Zawinski SG

Rafa ready to take on rivals

Rafael Benitez faces arguably the toughest spell of his time as Liverpool boss insisting his players will be ready for the challenge.

The Anfield chief's side have been drawn against Premier League leaders Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The games will take place in a spell of little more than a fortnight that sees Liverpool having to face Manchester United, Everton and Arsenal again, all in the league.

The three matches with Arsenal will be played over just seven days at the beginning of April. Before that Manchester United and Everton will be Liverpool's previous two opponents.

Almost insignificant compared to those games - but Liverpool dare not think that way - is tomorrow's home clash with Reading, a game they have to win to keep Everton behind them in fifth place.

Benitez, who insists his team are running into form at just the right time, believes his rotation policy is at last being appreciated.

He said: 'We know the schedule will be tough this month, and next. Apart from the Champions League games we also have Everton and Manchester United.

'But we have a good squad and we will be ready to play against all of them. This could be an advantage now for Everton in the race for fourth spot. They are out of Europe and have only the final league games to worry about.

'All we can do is to keep winning and see where that takes us. Firstly, we must beat Reading, we can only win our games and see what happens. But we must keep winning, winning, winning. We will see what Everton do each week, but if we win, the job will be done.'

Benitez will have Xabi Alonso back in his squad against Reading, the midfielder having missed the midweek win against Inter Milan to be at his girlfriend's bedside when she gave birth to their first son.

Benitez dismissed suggestions of a problem over Alonso's absence in Milan, saying: 'I have told Xabi I have prepared a new contract for his baby son, because Xabi's father was a good player too, so maybe Xabi's son will be a good player too so it is important to sign players early!'

Benitez has also lost Daniel Agger for the season. The Dane will have a third operation on Monday to repair a broken metatarsal.

But Benitez, whose side have won six on the trot, is confident the Reds will make life extremely difficult for Arsenal.

He said: 'It will be difficult for both of us. We know we have five very big games over little more than two weeks. That is where the squad comes in, I will not rotate but I will change players!

'Games with Arsenal are difficult in the Premier League, and they will be in Europe too. It will be the same for both. They are a very good team, but I do not feel that either of us have an advantage, maybe we will be the underdogs but it will be difficult for us both.

'But we are playing well, winning games in succession and we are not conceding. We are at a good point of our season, but any game is difficult at this stage of major competitions.

'We must accept that if we progress in the Champions League then we may have to play two more English clubs. We, though, have players who have confidence and believe in themselves. It may be easier for the players now.

'I have said before that this is the time that players will be at the best because they have had rest. We are at a situation when we have Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt all playing very well.

'We are fourth and a good position in the Champions League. We have a lot to play for.'

Liverpool's season has been overshadowed by ongoing speculation about the ownership of the club, with co-owner Tom Hicks this week confirming he has terminated talks with potential investors Dubai International Capital.

But Benitez believes success on the pitch will push the issue down the news agenda.

'There is a calmness now around the squad. When you are winning everyone is happy and they want to talk about football rather than other things,' he said.

'Tom Hicks has rung me and said how pleased he is with the result and the team. And in particular the players that he has helped to buy, (Martin) Skrtel, Mascherano and Torres.'

Liverpool will find themselves playing Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals for the third time in four years if both win their quarter-finals.

Benitez's side have won both the previous encounters, and he said: 'This draw is not unusual for us, it seems we have played Chelsea time and again in all competitions including three times in the Champions League. So now it is Arsenal's turn.

'And we know that next could be Chelsea in the semi-finals again. But first we must concentrate on Arsenal and not think about games in the future, Arsenal will be tough enough without worrying about what is next.

'It is very important to go one step at a time. But I know people will say that to win the Champions League we will probably have to beat Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, the three teams above us in the Premier League.

'But we have confidence, we are winning and scoring goals. We are in good form so we do not worry about who we play.'

Jamie Zawinski SG

everton is hot on our trails, just like chelsea is only 3 points behind manure.

NG QIBO AARON AUBREY SG

man u go go go

Jamie Zawinski SG

England striker Peter Crouch accepts he will probably have to consider quitting Liverpool in the summer to get regular first-team football.

The 6ft 7ins forward scored an impressive opening goal in the 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Jamie Zawinski SG

LIVERPOOL

Remaining matches:

v Blackburn (home),

v Fulham (away), v Birmingham (a),

v Manchester City (h), v Tottenham (a).

On paper, the Reds should easily win all their

remaining matches.

In reality, if they are still in the Champions

League, these games will pale in significance as

they chase their second European Cup in four

years.

Even if they do win every league game, they

would need Man United to slip up four times to

overtake them.

VERDICT:

Mission impossible.

ARSENAL

Remaining matches:

v Man United (a),

v Reading (h), v Derby (a), v Everton (h),

v Sunderland (a).

Should they beat Man United on Sunday, they

have four easy games left.

Much will depend on tonight. If Arsenal lose

to Liverpool in their Champions League clash,

they might make a concerted effort for one last

title push.

But it is a tall order for the jaded young

Gunners, many of whom are already running on

fumes.

VERDICT:

Highly improbable.

CHELSEA

Remaining matches:

v Wigan (h),

v Everton (a), v Man United (h), v Newcastle (a),

v Bolton (h).

Certainly, beating United at Stamford Bridge is

a must if the Blues want to win the BPL title.

They would also have to eke out three tough

points against Everton at Goodison Park.

Otherwise, they are the only Big Four club

with three home games left.

Can they win it, sans Jose Mourinho? They

just might.

VERDICT:

Shock winners, anyone?

MAN UNITED

Remaining matches:

v Arsenal (h),

v Blackburn (a), v Chelsea (a), v West Ham (h),

v Wigan (a)

The toughest run-in, with the final Wigan match

as the only sure-win match.

Worse still, defensive stalwarts Rio

Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are injured at a

most inappropriate time.

Alex Ferguson remains the best manager to

rouse his players to triumph against such odds.

But the pressure is on. It would be a major

choke if they lose the title.

VERDICT:

Hanging on, precariously

Jamie Zawinski SG

Liverpool

v Blackburn (home),

v Fulham (away)

v Birmingham (a)

v Manchester City (h)

v Tottenham (a)

Everton

v Birmingham (a)

v Chelsea (h)

v Aston Villa (h)

v Arsenal (a)

v Newcastle (h)

the Reds should be able to get 10 points from their last 5 games while Everton would be lucky to get 9 points.

the Reds should be able to hold on to the 4th and final position for champions league qualification.

Jamie Zawinski SG

Updated: April 8, 2008, 5:17 PM ET

With seven minutes left, Arsenal looked like were through as the score stood at 2-2.

But Steven Gerrard restored the lead with a controversial penalty, before Ryan Babel's breakaway goal sealed a victory which sets up another semi-final clash with Chelsea.

Arsenal scored first through Abou Diaby, before Sami Hyypia and then Fernando Torres forced Liverpool ahead.

Adebayor's strike with seven minutes left looked to have finished off the Anfield men before the late fireworks.

The end of the week-long trilogy between these English giants saw one surprise selection, with Benitez opting for Peter Crouch.

Arsenal were without Robin van Persie from the first leg, the Dutchman's injured knee not risked beyond the bench initially.

The Gunners started in sensational style, displaying blistering pace, strength in the tackle and sublime passing skills.

Alexander Hleb, in a central role supporting Adebayor, was a constant danger and they were ahead in the 13th minute.

Anfield was stunned into silence as Hleb threaded a ball down the right for Diaby to surge into the box before crashing home a shot between Jose Reina and his near post.

With Gerrard deployed on the left, Arsenal were destroying Liverpool's midfield, and flying at a frantic defence.

They were handed a lifeline when the 34-year-old Hyypia produced a towering header from Gerrard's corner after completely losing marker Philippe Senderos.

Suddenly Liverpool were alive. Gerrard flashed a 30-yard shot wide, Dirk Kuyt's drive was charged down and Senderos - already booked for a foul on the Liverpool captain - started to struggle against Crouch's height.

Then Arsenal suffered the blow of Mathieu Flamini being carried off after looking to have fallen awkwardly on an ankle.

Gilberto came on after 40 minutes. By now Liverpool looked a changed side; steaming forward, their confidence restored.

England boss Fabio Capello and Manchester United chief Sir Alex Ferguson sat side by side as Arsenal steeled themselves to defend in front of the Kop after the break.

Fabio Aurelio's shot was deflected agonisingly wide by Crouch, Torres having provided the cross.

It was the Spain striker, quiet up to that point, who forced Liverpool ahead. Crouch's flick-on reached the Liverpool goal machine in the box, he turned Senderos with ease before firing his shot into the top corner.

Wenger replaced Diaby and Emmanuel Eboue with Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott, knowing another Arsenal goal would put them through.

Adebayor missed when clean through, the tension by now could be cut with a knife. Babel then came on for Crouch, who left the field to a standing ovation.

Liverpool switched back to their preferred system, with Gerrard working behind Torres while two holding players protected the midfield.

But Liverpool were caught searching for more, and Arsenal caught them cold on the break.

Walcott embarked on an amazing run from his own half before pulling the ball back for Adebayor to drill in the equaliser after 83 minutes.

But astonishingly they rallied. Straight from the restart, some Gunners still celebrating, Babel surged into the box and was brought down by Kolo Toure, for what looked a soft penalty.

Swedish referee Peter Frojdfeldt pointed to the spot, and with the Kop in hushed agony, Gerrard drove the penalty high into the net.

John Arne Riise came on for Torres with Liverpool desperate for the end now as another Gunners goal would again see them through.

But with Arsenal all up in Liverpool's box for a free-kick, the ball broke from the mass of players to be belted forward for Babel to outpace Fabregas to drive home the fourth.

Alvaro Arbeloa came on for a shattered Kuyt, and there was nothing left now from Wenger's men as Anfield celebrated.