RAFAEL BENITEZ would have chosen an alternative route to Moscow but the Spaniard believes the Champions League draw has offered Liverpool an ideal opportunity to secure the lasting respect of their Premier League rivals.
Arsenal plus possibly Chelsea and Manchester United stand between Liverpool and a sixth European Cup and in a season when his team have again fallen short in the Premier League, inviting Rio Ferdinand to argue it is easier to win the Champions League than the domestic title, Benitez believes fresh English scalps would bury the accusation that the current Anfield set-up has no claim to greatness.
The Liverpool manager, who will confront Arsène Wenger three times in seven days after the quarter-final draw brought the clubs together for the first time in European competition, said: "It surprises me when people say the Champions League is not as important as the Premier League.
"The Champions League is for the best teams in Europe and to see four English teams in the quarter-finals means this league is the strongest in Europe.
"To win the Champions League, reach the final again two seasons later and now the quarter-final is a fantastic achievement. It shows the level of our team and we have a good opportunity to show people and to go forward."
Benitez has previously stated he prefers the second leg of a knockout tie to be at Anfield but, despite Chelsea succumbing there twice in the past three seasons in Europe, yesterday he claimed its atmosphere may have less influence on Arsenal. "It is not the same as it is playing a foreign club," he said. "The first game is important and if we can get a good result at Arsenal it will make it easier for our supporters to get on top of them in the second leg. But they have experienced Anfield many times before."
Liverpool's Daniel Agger, meanwhile, will miss the rest of the season after the club decided he required surgery on a metatarsal injury which has sidelined the Danish defender since September.
The 23-year-old made a comeback in the reserves a fortnight ago but has complained of continued pain and will have an operation on Monday. "The operation will be the solution," said Benitez.
