Benitez's tactical mastery can pay off again

Last updated : 13 March 2007 By Mark Lawrenson, Daily Post

While all eight of the teams left in the competition will fancy their chances of going all the way, there is no doubt another round of matches against PSV Eindhoven will have been well received at Anfield.

They will go into the game with plenty of confidence having beaten Barcelona while another plus is that they are away in the first leg. Liverpool always look likely to score away from home and seven of the eight teams who progressed last week had scored in their away leg.

Ronald Koeman has already put one over on Liverpool when he was in charge at Benfica and he is sure to make it difficult for Rafael Benitez's side. His sides often contain players with lightning pace, but they like to play with plenty of people behind the ball and pick their moment to counter attack.

His teams are difficult to break down but while they did well to get past Arsenal, there is no doubt Arsene Wenger's side had enough of the ball in both legs to have scored the goals to progress.

Benitez once again proved his mastery of the tactical approach against Barcelona. He will have seen plenty of games at the Nou Camp where the visitors opt for just one up front and almost invite Barcelona to attack them. Instead Rafa played two up front and was able to take the game to Barcelona.

It's fair to say that but for a short spell around the time of the Barcelona goal at Anfield, Liverpool dominated both legs of the tie which is why hopes will be high of further progress.

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