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Benitez talks a good game ahead of tonight's clash with Chelsea

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Betfair's Top Dog sniffs around the truth behind the latest tabloid tales

Cruft's champion - Top stories that can dominate the news agenda
Pedigree chum - Insights that tell you something you don't know
Dog's dinner - Speculation, guesswork, or ideas that just don't come off.

Top Dog says:

Rafa Benitez has easily won the pre-match talking contest between the managers. But then Avram Grant is not much in the way of opposition when it comes to inspiring speeches! Benitez stage managed a glance at the picture of his 2005 Istanbul winners at the end of his press conference, wondering out loud how that squad managed to claim the trophy. The message for the media to send to Chelsea was that this team with Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano is so much stronger, and the back pages duly get the idea across! Liverpool are [2.38] to get a first leg lead tonight, while it's [3.75] Chelsea and [3.1] the draw. The Mail goes away from the football to reveal there will be more politics behind the Anfield scenes. Co-owner George Gillett has invited senior officials from Dubai to the game.

Cruft's:

Daily Express - Makelele: We'll copy Reds plan - Amid all the fighting talk, this is the one valuable piece of pre-Anfield analysis. Claude Makelele explains how Chelsea can throw a defensive blanket over Liverpool tonight and then win the second leg, the same tactics Rafa Benitez has used in the last two Champions League semi-finals between the clubs. A Chelsea clean sheet is [3.15] - not a bad price for a fixture that has produced just three goals in six matches (and one of them didn't cross the line!) That also makes [2.5] for under 1.5 goals in the game an attractive bet

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Star - Flame of victory in Terry eyes - While Avram Grunt continues to stutter through his press conferences it's left to John Terry to give the inspiring speeches. He talks in all the papers about walking past the trophy at Anfield last night and how much he wants to lift it in Moscow. Terry is [14.5] to score at Anfield tonight and it might not be the worst bet.

Daily Express - Jerome sees Reds as way to lift Blues - Birmingham's hopes of survival depend now on their home form, starting with Liverpool on Saturday. They'll get to play Rafa's reserves just like Fulham did. Striker Cameron Jerome talks about how badly they'll need the home fans to come back and support them after the derby debacle. Blues are [3.05] the home win

Daily Mirror - Don't Messi with our Ronnie - Ryan Giggs talks about the clash of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, arguably the two best creative influences in the world, before tomorrow's Champions League showdown in Barcelona. Interesting stuff with good graphics and statistics that back up Giggs's claims that Ronaldo is the more important player. United at [3.1] to win in the Nou Camp looks appealing, and Top Dog might risk a few pennies on a 1-0 victory at [9.8]

The Sun - We're not the greatest until we win the double - Sir Alex Ferguson has said this is his best ever Manchester United team, but Cristiano Ronaldo insists that will only be true if the team finish the season with two trophies. It all suggests United's attitude will be spot-on in Barcelona

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Mail - Eriksson has another go for Jo - CSKA Moscow claim their Brazilian striker Jo has agreed terms with Manchester City. But it seems he wouldn't qualify for a work permit, so it must just be the agent trying to drum up a sale elsewhere

Daily Express - Kia called to give his side in £30m case - Harry Harris drones on and on about Carlos Tevez and Sheffield United. Yawn.

Today's other headlines:

The Sun - We're Aving a larf - Brave Frank back - Gerrard war cry - Terry ready for Blues revenge - I still can't believe this lot won - Ian Wright's big match analysis - Giggs in the mood - Carew's high five - Owen alert

Daily Express - Prove we're special - Fergie's plan for Messi - We'll do it again vows Gerrard - Stage set for a clash of titans - Makelel: We'll copy Reds plan - Alan Curbishley column - Carew's big Euro goal

Daily Star - You're gonna Kop it says Gerrard - Terry: We'll silence 'em - so brave Lampard to return - This team is better than final heroes says Rafa - Ron's in for the kill

Daily Mirror - Kiss 'n' hell - Gerrard warns Chelsea - Grant: Judge me on results - How the hell did we win in 2005? - The pain driving Terry - Theo's hit the wall

Daily Mail - Gillett stirs it - Jose couldn't do it, so can Avram? - Prove you're no pushover - Ronaldo's great expectations - Villa Euro charge