Liverpool qualified for the last 8 of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night in peremptory fashion after defeating Italian giants Internazionale FC 1-0 in the second leg at the San Siro in their last 16 tie. The defeat certainly swells the belief that this season too the Reds could go all the way to the final in Moscow and win the competition.
But Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez says that although Liverpool are in a good position, they are not the favourites to win the Champions League. Rafa says:
It was a difficult game against a difficult team. We knew we were playing against a good team. They are top of the table in Italy because they are really good. When you talk about Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United they are also really good. We are in a good position and so are they.
Nevertheless defeating Inter Milan 3-0 in aggregate is no small task and the combination of midfielder Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres is certainly going to be important for the Reds’ progress further in the competition this season. But Rafa is true in insisting that Liverpool are in good position and are not out-and-out favourites. After all, there are other strong clubs in the competition.