Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has begun the mind-games ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi- final, claiming all the pressure is on Chelsea.

The Spaniard reminded the Stamford Bridge side that they have been knocked out on all three occasions they have reached the last four - two of those failures coming against Liverpool.

"I think they will want to win this game. They are playing in front of their own supporters and they will want their team to win.

"It is a massive game for them because on three occasions they have been in the semi-finals and now they will want to reach the final, so they will be under some pressure."

The 1-1 draw at Anfield last week means a goalless draw will see Chelsea through to next month's final in Moscow, but Benitez said it could work in his team's favour as it does not matter if they concede first.

"The first goal is always important but it makes more of a difference if we score than if they score it.

"If they conceded a goal the situation will still be the same - we will still need to score at least one goal.

"But if we score it will give them problems because they will be thinking, 'if they score another one we will need three' - it is a massive difference."

Benitez also appealed to referee Roberto Rossetti not to favour the home side, having been disappointed by the performance of Austrian official Konrad Plautz in the first leg.

"In the last six games in Europe [Rossetti] has refereed, five times the local team have won and once they haven't. That was Valencia against Chelsea - it's very curious.

"If he knows he must be strong, that is okay."

Alex Chick / Eurosport