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Rafa Benitez has warned his players they will have to be patient to prevail in what has become one of the cagiest encounters in football.
The Anfield boss expects a similar clash to the 2005 and 2007 semi-finals against Chelsea, when just three goals were scored over 390 minutes.

He said: "We are playing well at home and away but Chelsea are strong defensively. It will be difficult. We have been talking today and yesterday about how we must do our job, play well and be patient. We spoke about patience against Inter Milan and in that game we scored two goals in the last five minutes.

"We must play well and, if possible, keep the ball. We must not make mistakes and must control the game.

"These kind of games against two top sides at this level, it's the small details that make the difference. I always say it but it's true. The difference is key players in key moments.

"Our supporters are very clever, they know it will be difficult at Stamford Bridge, so they know how important it is to be behind us tonight."

While Benitez expects a sense of déjà vu tonight, one difference this time round is the fact the second leg is at Stanford Bridge.

Though admitting it gives Chelsea an advantage, the Spaniard points to another new factor which could prove crucial – Fernando Torres.

He said: "We have some experience of difficult away games. People were talking about needing to win in Marseille and in the end we scored four goals.

"We have the quality to score in any stadium.

"The players know that, even if they are not playing well, we have players who can score goals. The team is playing well and we have confidence because we know Torres can create something."

Much has been made of the difference in managerial styles between Avram Grant and predecessor Jose Mourinho.

For Benitez though, little has changed in terms of the task facing his players.

He said: "They are a good team. They are very good, well organised, balanced, good in attack and defence, and good at set pieces and counter-attack.

"So, more or less they are the same as before. I don't need to analyse the style of one manager or the other. The players and the team are more or less the same. They were in the final of the Carling Cup, are in the race for the title and have got to the semi-final of the Champions League, so they are in a good position."