Rafa reprieve

Rafa: Stay of execution?

Rafa Benitez has Captain Steven Gerrard to thank as the pressure upon him was lifted after Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat of Inter Milan in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 clash.

The Reds were sitting pretty at 1-0 after Dutchman Dirk Kuyt struck five minutes from time.

Liverpool had the upper hand after the first-half dismissal of World Cup final villain Marco Materazzi; the Italian defender was harshly red-carded for two fouls on Fernando Torres.

Gerrard added a superb second in injury time to give Benitez a two goal buffer for the return leg in Milan and perhaps more importantly, a much needed boost during a torrid few months at Anfield.

‘I think everyone knew we needed this. It was really important for the club and fans that we won,’ said Rafa.

‘I have always had confidence in this team and we will win a lot of games.’

Gerrard refused to rest on his laurels and knows Liverpool still have work to do in the return leg.

‘This is a big win. But it will mean nothing unless we finish the job in three weeks’ time,’ said Gerrard.

‘We won’t get carried away. It was a good performance with a clean sheet and a two-goal lead. But we will not be underestimating Inter. They are a top side.’

Chelsea also featured in the Champions League on Tuesday drawing 0-0 with Olympiakos in Athens.

Boss Avram Grant knows that the Greek side will be no pushover in the return leg at Stamford Bridge, despite the Blues unbeaten home run of 59 games.

‘They are a good team, very organised. They play more or less the same away and it's not easy to play against them,’ Grant said.

‘We expect a tough game. They played the group games at Real Madrid, Werder Bremen and Lazio well.’

The police are currently investigating death threats against the Chelsea coach after a package was sent their training round in Cobham containing anti-Semitic insults and a mysterious powder.

The powder was analysed and said to be of no harm, Police are continuing their investigations to establish who sent the package.

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