Benitez warns Liverpool about Real Madrid's firepower

Expresso

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posted on 15 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Benetiz believes Real have three key figures who could turn the tie around.

New Delhi: The Reds gaffer has pinpointed who he believes will be The Whites’ three key figures when the two European superpowers collide in the Champions League.

Despite taking a 1-0 lead back to Anfield for the return clash against Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is well aware that the contest is far from over.

The Spaniard believes that Los Blancos have three key figures who could turn the tie around and he wants his charges to keep a close eye on them, although he declared that he will not change his team’s style of play to accommodate their opponents’ threats.

"It is necessary to keep an eye on Raul, (Gonzalo) Higuain and (Arjen) Robben. But it does not worry me how Madrid will play. I know very clearly how we are going to play and that is all that matters," he said during the pre-match press call.

"We must approach the game thinking about scoring, not conceding and winning. The way we will do this will depend on both teams. Madrid will not attack from the first minute. They will wait and see how we play first," he said.

Benitez acknowledged that both sides are in similar shoes in their respective domestic league but he does not subscribe to the idea that Los Blancos will be heavily affected by their recent slip-up in the Primera Division at the weekend.

"They will not be affected, I can assure you. They are two completely different competitions and there’s nothing in common. But I hope that we can count on the Anfield support because it will be extremely vital. I hope to hear the Madrid players say at the end of the game that they atmosphere affected them a lot," Benitez said.

The former Valencia coach has again reiterated that he will not make a decision on the availability of the injured Fernando Torres and Alvaro Arbeloa until the last minute.