Ranieri backs Chelsea for glory

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Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri is backing the Blues to overcome Liverpool and reach the Champions League final.

Chelsea meet Liverpool in the first leg of the all-Premiership clash on Wednesday at Stamford Bridge.

And Ranieri told BBC Radio Five Live: "I think Chelsea have more chances because they are used to being in this position but they must be careful."

Ranieri, who guided Chelsea to the same stage last season, added: "Liverpool are strong in the Champions League."

The Italian, who was axed as Chelsea boss in June 2004, believes that Chelsea's attacking strength may win them a place in the final in Istanbul on 25 May.

Ranieri added: "The Chelsea strikers, whoever they are from Damien Duff, Didier Drogba, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Arjen Robben, will be the key to this match I think."

He feels that Chelsea are now ready to take the next step after falling victim to Monaco in last season's Champions League semi-final.

Ranieri said: "Last season we built a very good foundation but now it is Jose Mourinho's team.

"When we played against Monaco in the semi-final we had some players who were not in the right condition.

"Damien Duff was injured, Marcel Desailly was not in great condition and we were without Hernan Crespo - a lot of good players were not fit.

Chelsea's strikers will be the key to this game Claudio Ranieri

"My team was last season. This season it is Mourinho's team and now I am very happy and proud they are trying to win it again."

Chelsea, having won the Carling Cup with a win over Liverpool in the final, are also on the brink of clinching the Premiership title.

And Ranieri said: "I think they have the right mentality and the right experience to try and win everything. It won't be easy against Liverpool because they defend very well, but Chelsea could win everything."

However, Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher insists that his side have been presented with an opportunity they do not intend to squander.

He said: "I was talking to the lads the other day, saying we might never get this chance again.

"There are probably six to eight clubs every season who you would say could win the Champions League. That is how difficult it is. Now we are in the last four playing a team that we know well."

Carragher also has a warning for Chelsea about the second leg at Anfield next Tuesday.

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He added: "I am delighted that the second leg is at home because if we are still in with a shout the atmosphere at Anfield is going to be something special."

But he called for caution in the first showdown at Stamford Bridge, saying: "If we are getting beaten by one goal with 10 minutes to go, that's not such a bad result.

"We don't want to be trying to get the equaliser and conceding the second. It is little things like that which can change things slightly."

Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly, meanwhile, paid tribute to his one-time defensive colleague and newly-crowned PFA player of the Year John Terry.

He said: "I am happy I was part of his grounding. He has been studying everybody and now he's a top, top player."