Reds ready to finish the job

By Andrew Haslam

Despite failing to convert Liverpool FC's two best chances of their UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg against Chelsea FC, both Milan Baroš and John Arne Riise are optimistic Rafael Benítez's team can win through on Merseyside.

Space denied
The first leg at Stamford Bridge was a closely-contested affair, with space and time on the ball hard to come by and chances at a premium. Frank Lampard wasted the home side's most inviting opportunity, volleying over from close range, while the visitors carved out two good openings, but on each occasion Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech was equal to the task.

Rueful Riise
The Czech international first blocked a Riise drive after the Norwegian had collected a Xabi Alonso pass and cut inside, although the Liverpool player was unable to shoot with his favoured left foot. "I had a chance to score - with my right foot - and we created other opportunities," Riise said. "But so did they and in the end I think a draw was a fair result."

Cech barrier
Baroš went even closer, meeting Steven Gerrard's cross with a clever flicked header only to see compatriot Cech spring across his goal and push the ball behind. "Maybe I was a bit unlucky," said the 23-year-old striker. "I caught it well but Cech did make a good save, although I don't think it is because we play together for the Czech Republic - he is just a very good goalkeeper."

Space available
Both Baroš and Riise believe the advantage now lies with Liverpool, the former saying: "Nil-nil is not the best result but it's not the worst either - now we know that if we win, we will go through. I'm sure Chelsea will be looking to score at Anfield, so they will push forward and perhaps that will leave more space for us."

Home pride
Liverpool have won their last three Champions League matches at Anfield, against Olympiacos CFP, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Juventus FC, and Riise hopes that run can be extended. "We have played well at home in the Champions League and we know we have a good chance against Chelsea but we also know it will be very tough because they are strong defensively and can score goals," he said. "If they score it puts pressure on us again. But we played well in the first leg and we hope we can do the same again at home."

Anfield backing
The 24-year-old was an integral part of the Liverpool side that reached the Champions League quarter-finals in 2001/02 before losing to Leverkusen, but anticipates that the second leg against Chelsea will be his finest hour yet. "It's going to be a cracking game and maybe the most memorable night in European football for me," he said. "[At Stamford Bridge] we heard our fans more than the Chelsea fans and at Anfield it is going to be amazing. The crowd will be up for it and so will the players."

'Up for it'
Despite the voluble home backing - making for another of those memorable European occasions that Anfield seems to specialise in - Riise is aware that it will still take a mammoth effort to progress. "Everybody wants to play in the final," he said. "It's the biggest competition in club football but we know we are still 90 minutes, maybe more, away. We know it's going to be tough, Chelsea will be up for it - but so will we."