Football can be a paradox. Last week the Reds dominated Chelsea for 94 minutes that preceded the disastrous own goal. It was totally undeserved by Chelsea but it turned the tie on its head. It goes to show the level of concentration required at Champions League level as the slight misjudgement by Riise swung the advantage to Chelsea in the dying seconds of the game. An unlucky own goal like that can have one of two effects. It can destroy a team's morale or provide more verve to win in the second leg. Liverpool must show the latter like they've done many times in recent history.

Benitez and Liverpool have a mystique in Europe because Liverpool seem to play their best when they have their backs to wall. When the pressure is on, they respond in dramatic fashion. The Reds must show this type of character at the Bridge. In 2005, the Reds came back from dead when 99% of other teams would have given up. They have beaten Inter Milan in their own backyard, and showed tenacious character against Arsenal when all hope seemed lost.

You can be sure that Chelsea will be loud and vociferous at Stamford Bridge where they never seem to lose. They will come out in their numbers with their blue and white checkered flags and try to use the home advantage to triumph against Liverpool. Unfortunately for the Blues, it simply won't work. Liverpool have played at bigger, tougher and more hostile stadiums and atmospheres before like the Nou Camp, the San Siro and the Stadio Valedrome, and have come out victorious. You can be sure Benitez will have a masterplan for every single possibility, weakness and scenario that may occur and Liverpool will love the fact they have the underdog tag once again. 

Liverpool supporters will be quietly confident that the Reds may yet be on the way to Moscow to set up a dream showdown with their arch-rivals Manchester United. There is no denying that it's advantage Chelsea on Wednesday night but don't count Liverpool out, it still could yet be a 6th European crown.  

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