Avram Grant appeared nonplussed when asked if Chelsea could make it third time lucky against Liverpool in the aftermath of their quarter-final victory over Fenerbahçe, but the first-team coach would do well to study the epic recent meetings between the sides. José Mourinho is not the only one haunted by memories of Luís García’s ghost goal at Anfield three years ago, with many at Chelsea still asking how they could twice be beaten over two legs by a team who finished 37 and 15 points below them in the Barclays Premier League. For all the Champions League expertise of Rafael Benítez, much of Chelsea’s downfall can be explained by mistakes made by Mourinho. In many ways his predecessor has shown Grant what not to do.

Don’t insult Liverpool

Mourinho famously believed that big matches could be won in the pre-match press conference, though when attempting to stare down Liverpool he seemed to bite off more than he could chew. In insulting the club’s tradition by labelling them a cup team last season he provoked a ferocious response, as well as inspiring Benítez to greater deeds by claiming that he should have been dismissed, conjuring up an image of a cocky child who is repeatedly stung after stirring a hornets’ nest. Grant lacks the stomach and confrontational attitude to attempt such mind games, which could be in his favour.

Avoid injury rows

There is no doubt that in both previous semi-finals Chelsea were hindered by untimely injuries, though on each occasion the problems were exacerbated by Mourinho’s fiery personality. The Portuguese had a furious bust-up with Arjen Robben over his fitness before the first leg three years ago, with the Holland winger refusing to start the match, and last year clashed with Michael Ballack over the manager’s insistence that he should play on despite an ankle injury that required surgery. Grant also has injury problems with Ballack and Didier Drogba, though is unlikely to turn his players against him in the same way.

Avoid tactical battle with Benítez

Grant has acknowledged that Chelsea’s previous semi-finals against Liverpool were “too tactical,” an important realisation given Benítez’s preeminence in set-piece showdowns. The Spaniard is without parallel across Europe in sending out his team with a plan to win a big match and Chelsea could suffer if Grant gets drawn into a tactical battle, as Mourinho learnt to his cost. The Israeli’s lack of ego should help him avoid falling into this trap.

Don’t concede early

Chelsea failed to recover from the early goals scored by García and Daniel Agger in each of the second legs. Keeping things tight at the back will be even more important for Chelsea in next week’s second leg, as conceding an away goal at Stamford Bridge could leave them with no way back.

Take your chances

Mourinho has never accepted that Liverpool deserved to reach the final on either occasion, a typically contrary view that is given some credence by a review of the four matches. Chelsea were dominant in both first legs, particularly last year, but failed to take the chances that were on offer to them, while even three years ago Eidur Gudjohnsen had a great opportunity to win the tie in the dying minutes of the second leg at Anfield but shot across the face of goal. Grant’s team have struggled to kill off their opponents all season and must become more ruthless.

Tactical variation

The ultimate indictment of Mourinho’s inability to worry Benítez was his resorting to primitive tactics in the closing stages, with Robert Huth three years ago and John Terry last season sent up front to chase long balls. Grant must show flexibility and be willing to take risks earlier, particularly with his substitutes, as Shaun Wright-Phillips and Florent Malouda have the ability to make an impact from the bench despite enduring inconsistent seasons. And somewhat more fancifully, Andriy Shevchenko could return to gain revenge for the heartache Liverpool caused to his AC Milan side in 2005.