Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes his team came close to beating Chelsea in their Champions League semi-final.

Chelsea won the second leg 3-1 after extra-time, to win 4-3 on aggregate and set up a meeting with Manchester United in the final.

Benitez said: "I think that we were very close. They were playing well and we were playing well, especially in the second half.

"In extra-time we were much better but we then conceded a second goal and the third goal finished the game.

"When we scored I felt we had control of the game and we had two chances at the start of extra-time. In these games always the small details make a difference. We were creating and not giving them an option but then they get a penalty and the third goal was the end for us.

"The players told me we should have had a penalty when Sami Hyypia was fouled but that's something you cannot change now."

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.