Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool have a chance.

By Kate
April 6 2005

Liverpool have given themselves a chance to go through to the semi finals of the Champions League after beating Juventus 2-1 at Anfield last night.

Liverpool’s first half performance was fantastic and they well deserved to be 2-0 up at half time with a left footed volley from Sami Hyppia in the 10th minute and a superb 25 yard shot from Luis Garcia on 24 minutes. The match ended 2-1 with Juve scoring from a mistake by new boy Scott Carson who otherwise had an excellent match.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez says his team have given themselves a great chance now of reaching the semi-finals.

Benitez said: "We had a very good first half, but they were better in the second period and it was difficult for us to keep the ball, but we won against a really great side, even though I accept that we must score in Turin.

"In that first period we did everything that we had talked about, we scored two great goals, but it is difficult to maintain that level for the whole 90 minutes.

"As for the second leg, we do have confidence but we know it will be more difficult. But do not forget that they must win the match to go through, they must attack us and only time will tell whether their goal was more important than our two.

"If we win or draw we are through. But do not forget that we have played very well against a great team. For me it means we can beat all the other teams in the tournament, but we must be confident to go through."

Liverpool have nothing to fear for the second leg. Nobody gave them a chance in last nights game and all were proved wrong. A fine performance from the whole team.