Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has stepped up the pressure on Arsenal by saying the Champions League is the only trophy the Gunners can win this season.

The two meet on Tuesday in the Champions League quarter-final second leg, with Arsenal six points off the lead in the Premier League.

Benitez said: "I believe this game will be the most important if they want to win a trophy this season.

"It will be very difficult for Arsenal to win the Premier League."

Arsenal's league challenge suffered after a 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Saturday and Benitez added: "Before the game on Saturday they knew they had to win to stay in the title race.

"He (Wenger) changed five players, but had to bring back his big players trying to win the game.

"With Manchester United drawing on Sunday there is still a slight chance.

"But I do not expect Arsenal to be thinking about the title now, just the Champions League."

Benitez, who maintains his side will not play for a 0-0 draw to progress on away goals, predicts Arsenal could suffer just as Chelsea did in the 2005 semi-final at Anfield.

He said: "You could feel the atmosphere against Chelsea in the semi-final, and I expect that to be the same this time. Our fans can also hold the key.

"I saw Chelsea affected by the Kop, it was clear. Hopefully it will be the same again.

"When you have to face our fans for 90 minutes on top of you, then it is not easy for the majority of players.

"This is our only option if we want to win anything. It is important for us, we need heart but also brain."

Liverpool got the only goal of the 2005 semi-final second leg against Chelsea - albeit a hotly disputed effort from Luis Garcia that Chelsea maintain never crossed the line.

And Benitez believes his side will have to score again to progress this season.

"We don't want a 0-0 draw," he said. "For us it is important to score a goal.

"Arsenal can score goals away from home so we have to think about winning the game."

Injuries in Wenger's squad have forced him to rely heavily on key players like Cesc Fabregas in recent weeks.

This has prompted concerns that Arsenal will arrive at Anfield in a tired condition.

But Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso said fatigue will not be a factor for the Gunners.

"I don't know if they will be less fresh than us," he said.

"It is such a big game that I think they will find motivation from somewhere else that will make them fresh enough to perform."

(BBC)

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