Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes Chelsea want to win the Champions League more than the other two trophies they are chasing this season.
“They will think a lot about trophies right now and have a big squad to cope with problems at this stage of the season,” Benitez said ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final encounter between the two sides.
“But… they know the major competition now is the Champions League and they will be focused on it,” he added before his squad departed for the first leg at Stamford Bridge.
As well as the Champions League, Chelsea are also fighting it out with Manchester United for the Premier League and also face the same opponents in the FA Cup final.
Liverpool denied the west London side at the semi-final stage of this competition in 2005 before going on to lift the trophy by beating Milan on penalties in the final.
Benitez believes he has a stronger side at his disposal this season.
“We’re a better team than two years ago, maybe they are a better team as well,” said the Liverpool coach. “We do have more experience now though and feel we can do it.
“We’ll approach the game in the same way we did against Barcelona,” he added, referring to a 2-1 win in the first leg of their first knockout round tie at the Nou Camp in March that saw them past the holders on away goals after a 1-0 home defeat.
“We’ll try to win and try to score one or two goals. It will be difficult, though, because Chelsea do not concede a lot.
“You can talk about tactics and have everything perfect but one top player can change everything.
“(Chelsea striker Didier) Drogba or (Liverpool midfielder Steven) Gerrard can do something special so it’s more important to think about players than tactics.”
