Liverpool Football Club: Rafa Benitez

Rafael Benitez has promised Liverpool will be at their Champions League best rather than Premiership worst when they confront Chelsea in the first leg of their momentous European semi-final on Wednesday.

The Reds boss has wrestled with a sharply contrasting season in which his side has been an away-day disaster domestically, but have produced some stunning triumphs on the continent.

It may only be a short flight to London for the players this time, but the Spaniard insists they will produce a display to confound the critics.

He will have Harry Kewell back in the squad after four months of injury problems and predicts Milan Baros, Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso - all with injury problems following Saturday's dismal defeat at Crystal Palace - will all be fit to face the Premiership champions-elect.

"After a bad result you are disappointed but now there is always a new game and a new competition and we need to have confidence in ourselves," said Benitez.

"This is such an important game for the club, the players and the supporters. We will try to do our best for everyone's sake.

"We can do the impossible, we have confidence. Chelsea are one of the best teams in the world but when you talk about just two games and a knock-out tie like this with you being able to see the final so close, anything and everything can happen.

"We have lost three games against them by just one goal, that means we are very close to them. Over nine months it is different, they have a big squad and have spent a lot of money on very good players.

"But over one tie like this we believe we have a real chance as long as we pay attention to the small details."

Benitez aims to produce a tactical triumph similar to the one achieved in the quarter-final with Juventus.

"Chelsea are top of the table and have almost won the league, but we are focused and we know we have these two games to shape our destiny," he said.

"The differences between them and us for the future are clear, but for just these two games we believe we have possibilities to win.

"We need to play with the heart and the brain, both are important. Against Chelsea you need everything you have and that is what we will give.

"We will play with a different attitude, I am sure. We cannot play with the same style as in the Premier League, so we will have to change.

"Away from home we have not played so well but we will try to re-discover the sort of form we have shown in our away Champions League games, not the way we play in the Premiership."

He added: "The players know how important this game is, they will rise to the occasion like they have done in Europe before.

"All our fans will be awaiting the second game, with their passion. They have confidence in us for away games in the Champions League and we will try to give them a good result and for them to be able to enjoy the second leg."