Source: Daily_Mail
Alonso looks back to the battle of Stamford Bridge ahead of crunch clash
Xabi Alonso feels of Liverpool's[LNB]remarkable win at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season has been all but forgotten because of the controversy surrounding the Anfield club's faltering title bid. [LNB]Liverpool ended Chelsea's[LNB]86-game unbeaten home record in the Barclays Premier League back in October, and Alonso 'scored' the winner. [LNB]That goal has subsequently been credited as an own-goal to Jose Bosingwa by the dubious goals panel, but Alonso is still credited with the effort in Liverpool's own records. And that will not change.[LNB] Xabi Alonso is hoping Liverpool can kick-start their chase for the title by completing a league double over Chelsea on Sunday[LNB] [LNB]Now Liverpool are aiming for a notable double over the west Londoners, which would be only their third League win over Chelsea in boss Rafael Benitez's reign at Anfield. [LNB]The clash is already being built up as a make-or-break game for Liverpool in their title challenge, having drawn seven of their last 11 League games and slipped to third place behind champions Manchester United and Chelsea. Benitez says he is still calm while Mascherano insists Reds must beat Chelsea[LNB]LIVERPOOL v Chelsea: Trio return to starting line-up for crunch Chelsea clash [LNB]Liverpool v CHELSEA: Carvalho missing but Kalou returns for Kop clash[LNB]Chelsea's Deco finally clear of lingering injury nightmare [LNB]LIVERPOOL NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]CHELSEA NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB] [LNB]But Alonso, rested at Wigan in midweek, believes that Liverpool have shown this season they can match the top sides. [LNB]That win at Chelsea, the victory over United and a draw at Arsenal back up his view.[LNB] Anfield boss Rafa Benitez has seen his title hopes fade recently and knows only victory will do against the west London team[LNB] [LNB]Alonso said: "We've had some good results against the top teams this season, people should not forget how we won at Chelsea. [LNB]'Hopefully now in the second part of the campaign we can do it again and record more good results against our main rivals.' [LNB]With a trip to United coming up on March 14 and a home game with Arsenal on April 18 - plus the visit of fourth-placed Aston Villa to Anfield on March 21 - Liverpool cannot afford any more slip-ups. [LNB]And their current position, two points behind United and below Chelsea on goal difference, leaves no margin for error now.[LNB]Spanish winger Albert Riera is set to return for the crunch clash with Chelsea[LNB] [LNB]Alonso said: 'If we can beat the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United again, that should give us a good chance of staying near the top and challenging for the title. [LNB]'These are important games. By beating our main rivals we can bring ourselves closer to the title than we have been for many seasons. [LNB]'Winning these games tells us that we can come face to face with anyone and win.' [LNB]Liverpool may well be on an unbeaten run of 15 games now, but the amount of draws in that run has given United - with a game in hand - the chance to surge to the top of the table.[LNB]But Alonso recalls the win at Chelsea to give himself confidence for the increasingly difficult task ahead. [LNB]He said: 'We were really pleased with how we played there and the win gave us a big confidence boost to take on into the season. Another win like that will again really boost us as we approach the run-in.' [LNB] [LNB]And he still believes the winning goal that day should be credited to him. [LNB]He said: 'It probably wasn't the best goal I'll ever score, but it helped bring us three points and that is the main thing.[LNB]Stamford Bridge boss Phil Scolari knows Liverpool could put a serious dent in his title ambitions[LNB] [LNB]'It gave us what was our first really big result of the season, and we fully deserved it. I always felt, though, that it was my goal.' [LNB]Alonso, Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera - all rested to the bench for the 1-1 draw at Wigan on Wednesday - will return to the side. [LNB]And despite the controversy of the past month and Liverpool's problems on and off the pitch, Benitez insists he does not feel under pressure. [LNB]He said: 'I do not feel any extra pressure. I am pleased to be where we are because trying to avoid relegation is not nice. [LNB]'We are close to the top, we have improved the squad, and if we can beat Chelsea people will say we are back in the title race. [LNB]'We know our players, we speak to them every day and we know the decisions to make. And thanks to those decisions we are eight points better than at this stage last season. [LNB]'This has always been a must-win game. As they all are. After my comments about Mr Ferguson we still knew we had to win at Stoke, those words didn't change anything on the pitch.[LNB] Premier League title hungry Liverpool fans hold a banner in homage to past managers - and Benitez[LNB] [LNB]'The same applies to other games this month that have followed some controversy. [LNB]'Every point is important, it doesn't matter what is being said off the pitch. This season we are in a much better position than before.' [LNB]And if Liverpool do win on Sunday, they will see it as an omen. [LNB]It will be their first League double over Chelsea since the 1989-90 season - the last time Liverpool lifted the title. Benitez says he is still calm while Mascherano insists Reds must beat Chelsea[LNB]LIVERPOOL v Chelsea: Trio return to starting line-up for crunch Chelsea clash [LNB]Liverpool v CHELSEA: Carvalho missing but Kalou returns for Kop clash[LNB]Chelsea's Deco finally clear of lingering injury nightmare [LNB]LIVERPOOL NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]CHELSEA NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]
