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Liverpool coach blames missed chances for loss

Thu 1st, May 2008

Liverpool, England (Sports Network) - Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez blamed a failure to take extra-time chances for their Champions League exit at the hands of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

The Reds fought back from a goal down on the night to level the semifinal second leg at 1-1 and 2-2 on aggregate through Fernando Torres' 64th minute strike.

But Frank Lampard's penalty and a third from Didier Drogba in overtime denied the Reds a third straight semifinal success over Chelsea despite Ryan Babel's late consolation strike in a 3-2 defeat.

"I think that we were very close," claimed Benitez. "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.

"We were in control of the game and creating chances. In these games always the small details make a difference."

Meanwhile, Benitez revealed that leading marksman Torres was substituted in extra time and with his side needing to score due to a hamstring injury.

But he denied claims that his pre-match comments suggesting Drogba was a diver gave the Chelsea striker an extra incentive to put his side to the sword.

"I don't think so," he said. "When you are playing in the semifinal of the Champions League you are not thinking about any other thing as it's just to play as well as you can."

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)