Chelsea's Terry hopes fortune will favour brave at Anfield

European

Captain John Terry has promised Chelsea will attack at Anfield tonight

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

By Steven Beacom

Chelsea captain John Terry today promised that his side will be going all out to attack Liverpool tonight in the Champions League semi-final.

For a change in this epic three parter, the first leg is on Merseyside therefore the crucial Anfield factor in the return won't come into play as it did in 2005 and 2007.

It is worth noting that in the previous two semi-finals which the Reds won and indeed two group games in 2005 in the competition, Chelsea and Liverpool have both failed to score away from home.

Obviously a win on Merseyside would be a dream scenario for Avram Grant's side, but confident they won't concede many themselves, Chelsea would settle for an away goal and would be delirious with two knowing such an outcome would take them a long way to the Moscow final.

Under Jose Mourinho they couldn't deliver, but Terry believes it will be different this time, hoping that fortune favours the brave.

"We are coming here to win the game, we are not coming here to shut up shop," boasted Terry.

"We are coming here to score goals and put the pressure right on Liverpool.

"We do mean business. All season long we've shown great strength in depth in the squad with the players who have come in and kept us alive in the Champions and Barclays Leagues."

In forceful mood, Terry spoke about the burning desire to finally get the better of Liverpool at this stage of the competition.

He said: "We have lost to Liverpool on the two previous occasions and that burning feeling is something that will never go away, but one thing that will ease it is to go on and reach the final and lift the trophy.

"That trophy is something I want to get my hands on as Chelsea captain and for the club to go down in history.

"Liverpool are going very well in the Champions League but we have got the squad of players and it is about what we do.

"It is not so much putting the record straight as what we can go on and achieve. For the club it is a massive chance to make history and for the players and the manager as well."

Chelsea's preparations have been blighted by speculation some of the squad are not entirely happy with Grant's managerial style but Terry emphatically disputes the suggestion.

"We are totally behind the manager," confirmed Terry.

The Chelsea skipper, along with defensive partner Ricardo Carvalho and Didier Drogba in attack, is crucial to his side's hopes of making it to Russia,

Another to look out for is Frank Lampard, who has been with his ill mother in hospital recently. It is sure to be an emotional evening for him when he will battle once again with England team-mate Steven Gerrard, who along with Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano, is a key figure for Rafael Benitez.

On the field it will be compelling. Off it will be interesting too given that Liverpool co-owner George Gillett has invited senior officials from Dubai International Capital (DIC) to be his guests at the game.

Although Gillett himself will not be able to attend the match because of illness, his party - including son Foster, a fellow director - will be there in force to welcome DIC's representatives.

It is a remarkable move by Gillett, who has wanted to sell his 50% stake in the club to DIC for several months. Fellow co-owner Tom Hicks is also expected to be at Anfield where the atmosphere will be as intense as always on a European night.