Coaches look ahead to date with destiny

Rafael Benítez, Liverpool FC
It is difficult to understand what happened – there were 94 or 95 minutes on the clock. I was really surprised and of course very disappointed with the own goal – these kind of bouncing balls are very difficult to deal with. The reaction in the dressing room afterwards was one of great disappointment. The only thing we can do now is be positive and think about the next game. We now need to go there and win. It's not easy to create chances in these games but we had three clear chances to score and I am disappointed we did not take them. We have to change our mindset now and be positive for the return at Stamford Bridge. My confidence is based on watching the team today. We were on top for a lot of the game – especially at the start of the second half. With a bit of luck we can do it [reach the final].

Avram Grant, Chelsea FC
We have conceded a lot of late goals recently so I think we deserved to get one ourselves. I hope we will say next week that this was an important goal. It was a game without many chances – typical for a semi-final. They had one or two and we did too. But a 1-1 draw away from home is always a good result. Anfield is a very difficult place to play but it is not easy for [visiting] teams to play at Stamford Bridge either – we also have good supporters. Both goals tonight came from mistakes. I felt we had control of the game until we made a mistake and they scored. Petr Čech was unlucky for the goal but he did well and made one very good save – but that's Petr, we're used to it. I think this result gives us an advantage but I know it will be another tough game next week. From day one I knew that Chelsea needed to be in the Champions League final. The 1-1 draw hasn't promised us a place in the final but it's a great result and a big step for us. The final is in Moscow but I think Roman [Abramovich, Chelsea's Russian owner] would be just as happy for us to play it in Mongolia.