Rafa Benitez explains how Liverpool can mount another famous comeback and beat Real Madrid

Rafa Benitez says persistence and depth will probably be key to Liverpool ’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The previous Reds’ chief says there isn’t any motive why Jurgen Klopp’s facet can’t flip round their two-goal deficit to Real Madrid at Anfield.

However he believes that each cool heads and an in crease within the power ranges will probably be wanted to claw again the targets towards Los Blancos.

Benitez is busy doing his homework from his dwelling within the north-west forward of his subsequent task and has been including but extra info on gamers to his private database, taking in one of the best the continent has to supply this week.

And he says that there isn’t any have to cost headlong into the return leg.

He stated: “The best way the tie is, in the event you rating as soon as, you might be again in it. Even when that takes an hour, so be it.

“For me, the important thing will probably be to not get too anxious – for them to handle that anxiousness – don’t rush it. Preserve focus ranges and preserve centered.

“With high quality gamers, a purpose will come.

“However Liverpool need to be able the place they will preserve a clear sheet – and so they must be extra aggressive at Anfield and play with higher depth over 90 minutes than they did in Madrid.

“Sadly, they can’t depend on the gang to offer the spark for that.

“In my expertise, the supporters at Anfield have been an enormous think about these European nights. I don’t suppose you’ll be able to dispute that. It has been one motive for his or her success. 100 per cent.

“Now, that drive must come from inside.”

Benitez says that making an attempt to pinpoint weaknesses throughout the Actual Madrid facet is tough as, by definition, they’re high opponents.

However he doesn’t really feel this Liverpool facet did itself justice in Spain. And he thinks that if strain is delivered to bear in a single or two key areas that it might reap reward.

He stated: “Actual Madrid are a balanced facet. Casimero does that actually effectively for them. He permits Toni Kroos and Luca Modric to maneuver round. And to win soccer matches, you want a steadiness.

“He additionally permits the full-backs to maneuver ahead. However the actuality is that they weren’t uncovered an excessive amount of.

“Nacho is an excellent crew participant. I don’t have any doubts about his high quality within the absence of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane however Liverpool didn’t put him below an excessive amount of strain, both.

“I’d additionally embrace the full-backs in that and Mo Salah and Sadio Mane have it in them to trigger issues within the return leg if they will discover that depth to their play.”

Benitez additionally sat by way of Borussia Dortmund’s go to to the Etihad Stadium and believes that the hosts’ want to push ahead will play into Manchester City ’s arms.

He added: “Dortmund have gifted younger gamers – equivalent to Erling Haaland and Marco Reus – who come at you with nice tempo.

“They’re harmful. And maybe extra harmful than Manchester Metropolis realised – however motivation to play within the Champions League could be very totally different to that of the home league.

“They’re additionally snug in possession and don’t panic – as are Manchester Metropolis. They each appeared good in open play – however Dortmund appeared extra harmful with their counter-attack.

“Subsequent week, they’ll be making an attempt to undergo and doing so with out the advantage of having their very own followers. That well-known ‘wall’ gained’t be there. And that may assist Manchester Metropolis.

“I believe it will likely be totally different in Dortmund. On the again, they’ve expertise however they aren’t the quickest. I believe this may be exploited. I can see Manchester Metropolis scoring and that may give them an awesome benefit.”

Benitez is just not anticipating any upset within the different quarter-final tie with Thomas Tuchel’s facet well-placed to achieve the final 4.

“ Chelsea performed very effectively on the counter-attack towards Porto,” he stated, “they struggled to deal with their tempo.

“And Chelsea made good use of the huge areas. Ben Chilwell and Cesar Azpilicueta supplied them a whole lot of choices.

“It’s going to be powerful to go to Stamford Bridge and rating three targets towards that Chelsea crew. I believe they are going to have an excessive amount of for them.”