Rafa's relishing Chelsea rematch

Rafael Benitez is looking forward to Liverpool's mouthwatering Champions League semi-final with Chelsea.

The Spaniard masterminded the quarter-final defeat of Arsenal last night at Anfield, a 4-2 victory and 5-3 aggregate triumph over Arsene Wenger's men, to set up the all-British clash.

Benitez said: "It is amazing that it is Chelsea again, and just as before it will be a very, very tough game."

It will be the third time in four season the teams have met in the Champions League.

Liverpool face Chelsea at home first on April 22 with the return at Stamford Bridge on April 30 for the right to contest the final in Moscow on May 21.

Liverpool have had the upper hand over Chelsea in Europe. They beat them 1-0 on aggregate to reach the successful 2005 final in Istanbul, and last term they reached the final in Athens with a penalty shoot-out success over Chelsea.

But this time the second leg will be at Stamford Bridge.

Benitez said: "Will that be an advantage to Chelsea? I don't know, these games are always very close. I will tell you after the matches who had the advantage."

Liverpool have now reached their ninth European Cup semi-final and their 15th in all European competitions.

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