Soccer-Chelsea are afraid of us, says Benitez
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-09-30 10:33

LIVERPOOL, England, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez thinks Chelsea are afraid of playing against his side.

Chelsea lost to Liverpool in last season's Champions League semi-final and despite winning their opening eight games of the season were lucky to escape with a draw when the sides met in the Champions League again at Anfield on Wednesday.

"When they start talking and talking and talking about us, it shows they are worried about playing against Liverpool," Benitez told reporters on Thursday.

"If you have a lot of confidence, you don't need to talk a lot. You just need to win and play well.

"They talk a lot, always, and that shows they have a lot of respect for us. Maybe they are afraid. I hope they will be after the weekend."

Liverpool play Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday with the London club's manager Jose Mourinho saying a defeat for Benitez side would end their title hopes. Liverpool are 14 points behind the league leaders.

Mourinho has also been forthright in stating that his side do not need to seek revenge for their Champions League exit last season, pointing out that Chelsea won three of their meetings compared to Liverpool's one.

"The other day I was hearing Mourinho talk about a lot of games about us," Benitez said.

"I don't think about the statistics. We won the Champions League last season because we played better and scored more goals than other teams.

"But this is another season and I prefer not to talk about numbers, just looking at playing well in our next game.

"I don't like to talk about winning titles in September. There are a lot of games to come and all you can do now is win the next game."

Benitez is confident of winning that next game against Chelsea after reviewing Wednesday's draw.

"We played better than them. We played a good game. We controlled the defence midfield and attack," he added.

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