• Premier League

Reina says Liverpool tank empty

Liverpool gave everything against Atletico Madrid but emerged with nothing © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Redknapp shocked by Liverpool's slide
  
• News: Benitez admits Liverpool need overhaul
  
• News: Forlan strikes to send Liverpool crashing out
  

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina admitted his team-mates "emptied the tank" in their Europa League semi-final loss on Thursday, meaning it will require an even more heroic effort than usual to beat a fresh Chelsea side on Sunday.

Liverpool played 120 minutes of desperate football against Atletico Madrid at Anfield as they chased their final hope of consolation from a disappointing season, and Diego Forlan's late winner for the Spanish side means Liverpool will be emotionally shattered as well as physically exhausted.

Chelsea, on the other hand, have benefited from an early exit in this season's Champions League as they focus solely on taking away Manchester United's Premier League crown without the taxing distraction of midweek football.

Given that Liverpool were already robbed of Fernando Torres, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio, Emiliano Insua and Martin Kelly because of injuries, the last thing Rafael Benitez's side needed was an energy-sapping period of extra time. With doubts persisting over strikers Dirk Kuyt, who recovered from a calf injury sustained at Burnley last Sunday to play against Atletico, and David Ngog (hamstring), Liverpool are not ideally placed to face the Blues.

There has been discussion in the lead up to the match that some Liverpool fans would prefer to lose to Chelsea to keep the Premier League title away from bitter rivals United. That sentiment isn't likely to extend to the playing group, though, and Reina has talked up his side's chances of overcoming their less-than-ideal preparation to test an in-form Chelsea side he views as the league's best.

"We have to pick ourselves up after Atletico. There wasn't anything left in the tank at the end,'' Reina said. "That's all we could ask of ourselves - to empty the tank. We did that during the 120 minutes. It was the last chance for us to win a title so we have to move on and Sunday is a massive game.

"We have to try to win our two remaining games and at the very least make sure we get the one point we need to get in the Europa League next season. Of course there is a belief we can still get the top four but being realistic we know it's going to be tough because there are three teams above us. We have to make sure we recover well and get ready for Sunday. You have to respect Chelsea. They've been the best team so far this season."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.