Liverpool have been drawn against Chelsea in the Champions League quarter finals and will face the London side in the knockout stages for the fourth time in five years.
Last season the Blues defeated the Reds in the semi-final, while Liverpool knocked them out in 2005 and 2007 on the way to the final.
Speaking before the draw was made, Rafa Benitez admitted he would prefer to avoid another English side, but with Arsenal and Man United drawn against Villareal and FC Porto, Liverpool were drawn at home in the first leg against Chelsea.
Barcelona will face Bayern Munich in the other tie, with the winner of that facing the winner of Liverpool vs Chelsea.
The dates have now been confirmed as April 8th at Anfield and April 14th at Stamford Bridge – the day before the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
Reacting to the draw, Benitez said the Reds must learn from the defeat last season when they played at home first, “Hopefully it won’t make a difference to us that the second leg is away. We have to think about the first game at Anfield with our fans behind us and look to get a positive result to take to Stamford Bridge.
“We need to make sure we don’t make a mistake in the first leg like we did in last year’s semi-final. They will be two tough games but we are playing well and clearly we are confident we can win.”
Liverpool have done the double over Chelsea in the Premier League this season, 1-0 at the Bridge and 2-0 at Anfield, but with new manager Guus Hiddink now in charge they will be a different proposition this time around.
Our previous Champions League knockout ties with Chelsea:
2007/08: Semi final: Chelsea win 4-3 on aggregate
1st leg: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea [Report]
2nd leg: Chelsea 3-2 Liverpool [Report]
2006-07: Semi final: Liverpool win on penalties
1st Leg: Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool [Report]
2nd Leg: Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea [Report]
2004/05: Semi final: Liverpool win 1-0 on aggregate
1st Leg: Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
2nd Leg: Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
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