Source: SKY_Sports
Blues and Reds clash again
Liverpool's UEFA Champions League adventure against Chelsea continues after the pair were pitched together in the draw for the quarter-finals.[LNB] The draw also saw Manchester United paired with Porto, while Arsenal will take on Villarreal. Barcelona and Bayern Munich will meet in the other match.[LNB]Sky Sports will broadcast the first leg of the Liverpool v Chelsea clash plus the crucial second legs in the ties involving the Gunners and United.[LNB]Next month's two-legged clash means Liverpool and Chelsea will have faced each other five times in the competition in recent years.[LNB]The first leg will take place on 8th April - and Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry was relieved that the second leg at Chelsea will not take place on 15th April, the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.[LNB]He said: "I'm literally just getting news that we will be playing on April 14. It is a huge relief and a good outcome."[LNB]He added on Sky Sports News: "We know what we've got to do over the two legs. We know what we're capable of doing so we will get on with it now."[LNB]Chelsea's interim boss Guus Hiddink said his players were looking forward to the Liverpool clash.[LNB]"It's getting more and more exciting at the end of the Champions League season," he said.[LNB]"If you have great desire to get to the end in May, you have to play them - Liverpool, Manchester United, Barcelona. I'm OK with the draw.[LNB]"Both teams like to play football and have players in their teams to play in an attacking way. That's a guarantee for big clashes."[LNB]His Liverpool counterpart Rafa Benitez insists Manchester United are favourites to retain their crown.[LNB]He said: "Manchester United must now be favourites, they have an easier draw than us. Our half of the draw is the more difficult now after this draw."[LNB]But Benitez was pleased that the prospect of Liverpool having to play on the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster has now gone.[LNB]He said: "Obviously we did not want to do that and with the second leg of our quarter-final now scheduled for London on the 14th, our wishes have been agreed with."[LNB]InfluenceUnited boss Sir Alex Ferguson expressed his pleasure with United's draw with Porto.[LNB]The Scot said: "This is a good draw for us, we've met Porto before and obviously we respect any Portuguese team.[LNB]"We have had a huge Portuguese influence in the club - firstly with Carlos Queiroz but now with Cristiano (Ronaldo) and Nani - so we understand Portuguese football."[LNB]Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was pleased to have home advantage in the second leg but does not consider opponents Villarreal to be underdogs.[LNB]The Gunners dumped the Spanish side out in the semi-finals in 2006 but Wenger said: "It is a difficult 50/50 draw.[LNB]"We know Villarreal and we have the experience having played them before. It is maybe a good opportunity to play the first game away.[LNB]"In this game there is no real favourite and if I show you what has been said in the newspapers over the last six months you cannot put us as a favourite.[LNB]"Now many players go away on international duty and I hope we don't lose players through injuries because many of our players are coming back now from injuries. It looks like we are in a good situation."[LNB]Should Arsenal and United both progress they will meet each other in the semi-finals, with the winners of the Liverpool v Chelsea tie taking on either Barcelona or Bayern Munich.[LNB]Champions League quarter-final drawVillarreal v Arsenal - second leg live on Sky Sports[LNB]Manchester United v Porto - second leg live on Sky Sports[LNB]Liverpool v Chelsea - first leg live on Sky Sports 2[LNB]Barcelona v Bayern Munich - first leg live on Sky Sports Xtra[LNB]Ties to be played on 7th/8th April and 14th/15th April.[LNB]Champions League semi-final drawManchester United or Porto v Villarreal or Arsenal[LNB]Barcelona or Bayern Munich v Liverpool or Chelsea[LNB]Ties to be played on 28th/29th April and 5th/6th May.[LNB]
