Liverpool Football Club News

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Rafa promises to attack

11 Mar 2008 - 08:15:57

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Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is confident his in-form side can reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League by knocking Internazionale out of the competition.

The Reds lead the last 16 tie 2-0 after the first leg at Anfield three weeks ago and travel to the San Siro for the second encounter in an upbeat mood after securing five successive victories.

Benitez said: "We are playing well and we have great confidence.

"When we played Inter in the first game we had just been beaten by Barnsley in the FA Cup. Now we face them after five successive victories.

"We will not just be defending. It is impossible for us to defend for a long time against such a great team.

"We will be looking to score, to hit on the break. I believe that Fernando Torres is the ideal player for this. If we score one then we will surely be through."

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard also believes Torres could be the Merseysiders' key man in the second leg.

He said: "We'll be looking to hit them on the counter-attack, and Torres plays that game better than anyone.

"Not only can you stick the ball over the top and let him chase it, but he can make things happen himself like he did against Marseille earlier in the tournament.

"He's brilliant, fantastic. I wouldn't swap him for any other striker anywhere.

"He's been massive for us and gives us so many different options up front. He's banging them in and always looks a threat every time he plays.

"You can play him on his own or with a partner and he just adapts perfectly.

"When you look at the impact he's made in just seven months here, it means that no-one now can make excuses about needing time to settle.

"I feel England suits him even better than Spain. He suits the constant flow and the rough and tumble of the Premier League better than the stop-start technical La Liga."