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The youth coach against the master tactician this weekend
Benitez relishing Liverpool return but vows to leave no room for sentiment
By Simon Peach, Press Association
PUBLISHED:06:19, 18 April 2013| UPDATED:13:05, 18 April 2013
Rafael Benitez is looking forward to returning to former club Liverpool this weekend, although leaving Anfield with three points is his only concern.
The Chelsea interim manager saw his side move back up to third in the Barclays Premier League with an comfortable 3-0 derby defeat of Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.
David Luiz's wonder strike and a John Terry double proved the difference by the Thames, setting Chelsea up nicely for Sunday's trip to Liverpool - the club Benitez led to Champions League glory
in 2005.
Scroll down to watch highlights
Return: Rafa Benitez will lead his Chelsea team out against Liverpool at Anfield
History: Benitez returns to Anfield having left the club in 2010
'Liverpool is where my family live now,' the Spaniard said. 'I have been there for six years and have very good memories.
'I cannot hide that I am really pleased to be going there to see a lot of old friends.
'The main thing is to stay in the top three and what I want is to win at Liverpool.
'And after, I wish them all the best and if they can win all their games until the end of the season, that will be fantastic.
'But as a professional, I am sure they will try and win and we will try win.'
Benitez made four changes for Wednesday's match, with Chelsea captain Terry amongst those returning.
The 32-year-old was an unused substitute in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final defeat by Man City and put in a decent performance on his return to the starting line-up.
On target: John Terry scores Chelsea's third goal as they eased to victory at Fulham
But, while impressed by Terry's display, Benitez warned that might not be enough for a starting berth at Liverpool as he attempts to juggle domestic and European exertions.
'He has to be happy, scoring goals,' he said. 'Everyone is.
'It's good for him and the team. I'm really pleased because it was a good performance.
'I prefer these problems [of whether to leave him out]. I told the players before it is important that they have to be ready.
'We have eight or nine games to play and everyone has to be on his toes and ready to play and perform.
'We will try to stay in the top three and we have the Europa League as well. We want to compete in both competitions.'
Marching on: Chelsea claimed a vital victory in the race for the top four and Champions League football
Chelsea might still be able to achieve their goals but last night's result left Fulham manager Martin Jol frustrated.
'If you want to achieve something, you have to be in Europe and we can't,' he said.
'What we want to achieve is as many points as possible, stay out of trouble and maybe get 10 points.
'But we play against Everton next week, Arsenal this Saturday and Chelsea tonight. but we have a heavy schedule.
'Hopefully we can register another eight or nine points
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Benitez relishing Liverpool return but vows to leave no room for sentiment
By Simon Peach, Press Association
PUBLISHED:06:19, 18 April 2013| UPDATED:13:05, 18 April 2013
Rafael Benitez is looking forward to returning to former club Liverpool this weekend, although leaving Anfield with three points is his only concern.
The Chelsea interim manager saw his side move back up to third in the Barclays Premier League with an comfortable 3-0 derby defeat of Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.
David Luiz's wonder strike and a John Terry double proved the difference by the Thames, setting Chelsea up nicely for Sunday's trip to Liverpool - the club Benitez led to Champions League glory
in 2005.
Scroll down to watch highlights
Return: Rafa Benitez will lead his Chelsea team out against Liverpool at AnfieldHistory: Benitez returns to Anfield having left the club in 2010'Liverpool is where my family live now,' the Spaniard said. 'I have been there for six years and have very good memories.
'I cannot hide that I am really pleased to be going there to see a lot of old friends.
'The main thing is to stay in the top three and what I want is to win at Liverpool.
'And after, I wish them all the best and if they can win all their games until the end of the season, that will be fantastic.
'But as a professional, I am sure they will try and win and we will try win.'
Benitez made four changes for Wednesday's match, with Chelsea captain Terry amongst those returning.
The 32-year-old was an unused substitute in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final defeat by Man City and put in a decent performance on his return to the starting line-up.
On target: John Terry scores Chelsea's third goal as they eased to victory at FulhamBut, while impressed by Terry's display, Benitez warned that might not be enough for a starting berth at Liverpool as he attempts to juggle domestic and European exertions.
'He has to be happy, scoring goals,' he said. 'Everyone is.
'It's good for him and the team. I'm really pleased because it was a good performance.
'I prefer these problems [of whether to leave him out]. I told the players before it is important that they have to be ready.
'We have eight or nine games to play and everyone has to be on his toes and ready to play and perform.
'We will try to stay in the top three and we have the Europa League as well. We want to compete in both competitions.'
Marching on: Chelsea claimed a vital victory in the race for the top four and Champions League footballChelsea might still be able to achieve their goals but last night's result left Fulham manager Martin Jol frustrated.
'If you want to achieve something, you have to be in Europe and we can't,' he said.
'What we want to achieve is as many points as possible, stay out of trouble and maybe get 10 points.
'But we play against Everton next week, Arsenal this Saturday and Chelsea tonight. but we have a heavy schedule.
'Hopefully we can register another eight or nine points
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz2QqnRyDu5
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