Fifa World Club Championship / Liverpool v Sao Paulo: Rafael Benitez and Liverpool had the world on their minds yesterday but they had to focus briefly on Europe and in particular Benfica after the Champions League first knockout-round draw paired the holders with the Eagles of Lisbon.
Liverpool were preparing for tomorrow's meeting with Sao Paulo in the World Club Championship final as they heard the news that they would face Benfica, conquerors of Manchester United, with the first leg at the Estadio da Luz on February 21st.
"It is not an easy draw but it is not the worst draw either," said Benitez. "There are only good teams left at this stage and we could have been paired with Bayern Munich, for example.
"I'm pleased to have avoided certain teams but we will face a very tough match against Benfica. They are a very good team and they proved just what they can do by knocking United out of the competition.
"They are one of the most famous sides . . . they've won the European Cup twice, so we will treat them with the respect they deserve. But we will approach the game with confidence in our own ability."
Sami Hyypia echoed the view of his manager: "People will respect us more this season than they did last season in Europe. No one gave us a chance last year but we won the Champions League. I think we are capable of doing it again."
Benfica's coach Ronald Koeman said: "Liverpool have a very strong side. They have a powerful defence and they don't concede many. They are favourites, but we eliminated United so we can dream of getting through to the quarter-finals."
History favours Liverpool. They have overcome the Lisbon club on all three occasions they have met in the European Cup, twice going on to win the trophy, in 1978 and 1984.
Benitez is remaining in Japan for tomorrow's final despite the death of his father, Francisco, aged 74, on Wednesday. He learned the news in the build-up to Liverpool's semi-final win over Deportivo Saprissa but was unable to return to Madrid in time for the funeral and, instead, will visit his mother in Spain next week.
"My father was ill for the last few months," said Benitez, who took training as normal yesterday. "I was talking to my mother, sister and brother when my father died. I tried to go there but, in Spain, you don't have the time. They couldn't delay the funeral. For me, it is perhaps better to concentrate on working. You can be very upset, but if you're working sometimes you are able to think about your work more. The only thing I can do now is to try to do the best for my team and to think about my father." There will be a minute's silence before kick-off tomorow.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise; Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Kewell; Morientes, Crouch.
SAO PAULO (3-5-2): Rogerio Ceni; Edcarlos, Lugano, Junior; Cicinho, Mineiro, Josue, Danilo, Fabao; Amoroso, Aloisio.
Guardian Service
Yokohama, Sunday, Kick-off: 10.20am
On TV: BBC 2 and Setanta Sports
