Benitez is refusing to be drawn into the Avram-baiting circus

13 April 2012

Rafael Benitez has backed Avram Grant, even though he will spend tonight trying to pile more pressure on the beleaguered Chelsea boss at Anfield tonight.

The Spaniard is frustrated that his previous comments about nothing changing during Grant's reign at Chelsea have been viewed as a slight against the Israeli's impact in west London. And while he was keen to steer clear of talking about Grant's future, Benitez stressed that he sees the man in the opposite dug-out tonight as a capable opponent.

"I think he is doing a good job and that is the only thing I can say," said the Reds boss. "I have a lot of respect for Grant. He's doing a good job. They were in the final of the Carling Cup, semi-finals of the Champions League and the race for title.

"They're more or less what they had before but that's positive. I don't need to analyse the style of the managers, the team is more or less the same."

Even though Chelsea's must-win Premier League clash with Manchester United is sandwiched between the two legs of the Euro semi-final, Benitez is sure that Saturday's title showdown will not distract tonight's visitors.

In fact, he feels that because Chelsea have still not won the Champions League it is the United game that will carry lesser relevance to Grant's side.

"They will have four days to prepare for their next match - they have enough time," added Benitez.

"It will be tough for them and they will be thinking about the title, but I am sure that having won the Premier League twice, the Champions League is a massive trophy so they will try to be focused on this game."

With just three goals having been scored in the previous six European ties between the two teams, Benitez, who refused to rise to comments from former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho that there is more pressure on him to win something, can only see tonight being another close encounter.

But he points to positive results at Juventus, Inter Milan and Marseille and the form of striker Fernando Torres as a reason why Liverpool have nothing to fear from having the second leg at Stamford Bridge, rather than Anfield.

"I think it will be tough and tight," he continued. "I don't see a very open game because they are good in defence and we are good in defence.

"These kind of games between two top sides at the top level, the small details can be the difference. You analyse the games that are 1-0, the difference is key players at key moments.

"We have some experience in difficult away games and this year we needed to win in Marseille and we scored four goals. We have enough confidence and quality to score [away from home].

"I would prefer more than one goal but the small details can make a massive difference so we want to win and not concede. We want both. "We know that it's difficult to score at Stamford Bridge, so that is why it will be important to score and not concede."

MORE ABOUT

Israel

Israeli Defense Forces

Kensington And Chelsea

Spain

West London

Benitez is refusing to be drawn into the Avram-baiting circus

Read More