Cole: Reds have mountain to climb

11 April 2009 13:00
Ashley Cole says Liverpool have a tough task to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League after Chelsea's 3-1 first-leg win at Anfield. The England and Chelsea left-back also admitted Guus Hiddink's side were "disappointed" not to have left Merseyside with a much greater winning margin after dominating the game. Liverpool now have to score at least three goals and stop Chelsea from scoring if they are to turn the tie in their favour. Chelsea will be without suspended captain John Terry for the return leg but Cole believes the goal deficit will prove too much for the Reds. "We were a little bit disappointed that we didn't score four or five," said Cole. "When we came in, everyone was saying we could have finished it there. "It is always nice to go to Anfield and get a good result and it is going to be tough for them to come to the Bridge and score three goals. "Of course it could happen but we have got the players in our team to score goals. We have scored in every game apart from one since the new manager came in so we are very confident we can push on now and go through." Cole's performance against Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt was a key factor in the Reds' failure to get into the game after Fernando Torres had given them a fifth-minute lead. Although Kuyt provided the back-heel for Alvaro Arbeloa to supply the cross for Torres, Cole kept him quiet for the rest of the game, and he is looking forward to repeating the feat at Stamford Bridge. "He is hard because, when he goes inside, I have to trust our winger to stay with their right-back," said Cole. "I can't go tight on him because, if I do, and they play a one-two, I am out of position. "He is always moving into the hole behind the striker but, when I have Michael Essien behind me covering inside, it does make it easier. "Of course he did the back-heel for their goal but I have certainly enjoyed playing against him this year. I can't remember him contributing too much. "It is good to play against players like that; this is a great league and I think he must be one of their best players." However, goalkeeper Petr Cech was quick to play down Chelsea's commanding lead going into the return leg. Cech had little to do in the second half at Anfield as Chelsea ran the Reds ragged with their best football of the season away from home. "It is still at half-time and we all know in football that 3-1 is a great result at half-time but we still have the second half to play, and we are very aware of that," warned Cech. "In football, everything is possible but now we have a very good advantage and we have to use it."

Source: Eurosport