John Terry has hinted that Chelsea could be planning to throw off the shackles and adopt an unusually adventurous style in tonight's Champions League semi-final at Anfield.
While a tight and tense affair is widely expected, with the clubs' previous six Champions League meetings producing just three goals, Terry acknowledged that the scheduling of the tie, with Anfield hosting the first leg rather than the second, had given the Londoners the opportunity to secure a decisive lead.
"We've got to use that to our advantage," the Chelsea captain acknowledged . "We're coming here to win the game; we're not coming here to shut up shop. We're coming here to score goals and hopefully put the pressure right on Liverpool.
"With the away goals that we can possibly achieve, that's going to help us in the long run. It's about what we do, not what Liverpool do. We've got the players to go and win the game and hopefully progress to the next stage."
Liverpool, on the other hand, are expecting goals - if not entertainment - to be at a premium this evening.
"I hope it will be an open game and we score a lot of goals, but I think it will be tough and difficult and will be very, very tight," remarked Benitez. Such is the importance of away goals that a tight affair would suit Liverpool even in front of their own supporters, and Steven Gerrard stressed the importance of keeping a clean sheet in his pre-match briefing.
"It's not rocket science, really. We want a clean sheet and a lead," he told reporters. "One goal would be magnificent, a couple would be something else. But even if we don't get that, that doesn't make us underdogs because this team never knows when it's beaten. Some teams wilt and chuck it when the going gets tough. That's not the case with us."
Your Comments
SuperRed25
"1-0 to barca tomorrow. oops wrong forum"
hooverdoggy
"If Arsenal couldnt play open, then i cant see chelsea doin it..."
mgaffney
"Yes another yawn fest tonight don't think I will even bother watching. There will probably be a grand total of 3 shots in the match between 2 teams and Liverpool will score another lucky goal to win 1 0 an own goal from J T. Then United will beat Liverpool in the Final 2 0."
Fowlers_Rolin_9
"There will be goals, when ever a big liverpool game is billed to be a bore, goals come....."
TheBallsOnVidic
"Chelsea playing football? I'll believe it when I see it."
perrygroves
"what happens when two shops are shut up..."
guerillagorilla
"i predict one-nil to liverpool. gerrard to score after 70minutes. yawn."
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