Alonso reveals Reds faith

Xabi Alonso has told skysports.com of his confidence that Liverpool can overcome Chelsea in their UEFA Champions League semi-final at Anfield.
Chelsea head into the second leg tie with a 1-0 lead courtesy of a Joe Cole goal at Stamford Bridge.
But Alonso believes The Reds can overturn the deficit on home turf on Tuesday and book themselves a place in the Athens final on 23rd May, although it will be no easy feat.
"We could eliminate them with hard work and the help of our fans. The atmosphere at Anfield will be key in this effort but success is possible," Alonso told skysports.com.
"In London we conceded a goal. (Petr) Cech was excellent and the 1-0 gives us an enormous battle on Tuesday.
"A goal at Stamford Bridge would have been sensational but was not possible."
Alonso insists that putting themselves ahead in the opening half will be a crucial factor as well as keeping the Blues midfield restricted.
Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-0 at home in the Premiership in January and claimed a 1-0 victory at this stage of the competition two years ago as they went on to be crowned European champions.
"I believe that Chelsea are not as strong as in other years but they are a dangerous team, especially away from home. Against Valencia (in the quarter-finals) they won in the worst moments of the match and we need to assure the score in the first half," he continued.
"I am optimistic and I believe in our qualification because historically Liverpool is the team that has created more problems to Mourinho's Chelsea and now is the time to confirm it.
"The battle at Anfield will be in the centre of the field. If we stop those lines of play for Chelsea the path of success is open to us but if they are allowed to play and are handed opportunities to attach, the problem will be huge.
"A goal at Anfield is key. If Liverpool score I am convinced that we can make it through.
"The idea of revenge for Chelsea following the knockout in 2005? It is possible but in the Champions League it is necessary to play with clarity and focus. Our mission at Anfield is to get the goals and keep a clean sheet."
Cech has been a key figure for Chelsea, but Alonso feels Reds keeper Jose Reina is superior.
He added: "Pepe Reina is sensational. For me now he is better than Cech. I'm backing Pepe to finish at Anfield without letting a goal in.
"People praise (Didier) Drogba and the Chelsea forwards but for me the danger is in the midfield. To restrict players like (Frank) Lampard, (Michael) Essien or (Claude) Makelele is our aim. Without their work The Blues are different."
Despite all the talk of reaching the final, Alonso is keeping focused on the immediate task in hand.
"My head is only in the semi-final. I do not have a preference between Manchester United and Milan but against the Italian club it will be a match with passion."

By:Francisco Acedo
Date:1 May 2007
Credit:www.skysports.com