Xabi Alonso believes Liverpool have a big advantage in the second leg of their semi-final against Chelsea in the form of the Anfield crowd.The Spanish playmaker claims the roar from the Kop makes the players feel 10-feet tall. "The role our crowd can play is massive and they give us such a big belief in ourselves," Alonso told a packed press conference at Anfield. "Playing at Anfield on a European night is always a special occasion and the crowd give us a real boost and the energy that we need for winning the game. "This is such a massive match. We are 100 per cent focused and have confidence. We made some mistakes in the first game at Stamford Bridge and we were really disappointed with the way we played because we didn't do enough going forward. "We know we have to do better going forward this time and we have to score a goal. It's important not to concede a goal but we have a lot of belief we can score two goals. We beat them in the Premiership 2-0 at Anfield this season, when we scored two goals in the first half and we played very well in that game." The Reds number 14 also rejected claims that Liverpool will start the game as favourites. "Chelsea are 1-0 up from the first leg so they are favourites, not us," added Alonso. "We know what we have to do and we don't need motivation for this game because we are so close to a Champions League final. I think we are a better team than the one in 2005 but we have to show that out on the pitch on Tuesday night."
By:Steve Hunter
Date:30 April 2007
Credit:www.liverpoolfc.tv
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