/www.liverpoolfc.tv/news

Steven Gerrard thinks Liverpool can benefit from Arsenal's renewed title-hopes when the two sides go head-to-head in the Champions League.
At one point last weekend it looked as if the Gunners were out of the chase having fallen 2-0 behind at Bolton with a man sent off.

However, Arsene Wenger's men completed a remarkable comeback to win 3-2 and leave themselves just six points behind leaders Man Utd.

Gerrard thinks the result can help Liverpool ahead of Wednesday's quarter-final first leg.

"If Arsenal hadn't beaten Bolton, maybe they'd have only had one thing to play for this season and that could have made it more difficult for us," said the Reds captain.

"But with them still having half a chance in the league, maybe that could distract them a bit.

"Before the draw was made, we'd have been looking to get a team from Europe rather than another from the Premier League.

"But you get what you are given and to win the European Cup you have to beat the best.

"When we won it in 2005, we had to beat all the best teams to win it and I'm sure we're going to have to do that again if we want to win it this season."

Liverpool were knocked out of both the League Cup and FA Cup by Wenger's men last season and have yet to win at Arsenal during Rafa Benitez's tenure.

But, having reached two of the last three Champions League finals, Gerrard insists he and his teammates have the confidence to progress.

"We're a good side in Europe and we're always confident no matter who we come up against that we are going to qualify," he said.

"I think the other teams are more worried about us because we've proved in the last two or three years that we're one of the best teams in the competition.

"We've got nothing to fear. We just need to go there and give it our best shot."

Sandwiched between this week's first leg and the return at Anfield is Saturday's league clash at the Emirates.

Gerrard added: "The Champions League games against Arsenal are going to be different to the league game we have there.

"We found the Champions League games we had against Chelsea were different to the Premier League games, with it being a cup competition and not for three points.

"But we know we are in for two really tough games."

Liverpool go into the game in confident mood after opening up a five-point gap on Everton in the race for fourth with victory over their neighbours on Sunday.

"It had been a difficult week, having to swallow the defeat we had at Manchester United," said Gerrard. "But Sunday was all about bouncing back and making sure we could take a positive into Wednesday's game at Arsenal.

"After a big derby win the fans are happy and the players are happy. We know it will be a really tough game on Wednesday but now we will be going into the game with confidence.

"Our aim now is to consolidate this fourth position and go all the way to Moscow. That's our focus."