John Terry has always been able to issue a rousing rallying cry and did not disappoint on the eve of Chelsea's Champions League semi-final against Liverpool. As Avram Grant, the first-team coach, repeatedly emphasised his desire to make history rather than be consigned to it, the Chelsea captain expressed his thoughts in a more straightforward manner, outlining his determination to lift the trophy sitting yards away from him in the Anfield Trophy Room.

Chelsea's players have deliberately avoiding discussing their previous disappointments in this competition, preferring to dwell on their hopes of finally winning the Champions League rather than the pain of three semi-final defeats in the space of four years, the last two at the hands of Liverpool. Although he made a joke of it, Terry actually asked to attend his first pre-match press conference in almost four years so that he could put across a positive message, showing strong leadership that has not always existed at the club this season.

“If it was down to me, I wouldn't be here, but we do mean business,” Terry said. “It's not so much about putting the record straight, it's about what we can go on and achieve. For the club, it's a massive chance to make history. Forget the past. This is an opportunity which we have to take. We don't look back, wondering whether it was a goal or not. There's no point in doing that.

“Don't get me wrong. That burning is still there when we've lost to Liverpool on the two previous occasions, and that will never go away, but one thing that would ease that would be us progressing and winning the trophy. I've just walked past it by the door here and it's something I want to get my hands on as Chelsea captain.”

Expert View

Avram Grant may sulk over the criticism and the constant speculation over his job, but what did he expect?

Martin Samuel

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BACKGROUND

• Terry rallies determined Chelsea troops

• Champions League preview: Gerrard back

• History is finally on Chelsea's side

• Benítez has reputation enhanced

BACKGROUND

• Close encounters between Liverpool and Chelsea

• The greatest ... European Cup semi-finals

• Fortress Anfield set for Chelsea assault

• Liverpool start sale of Champions League final tickets

BACKGROUND

• Analysis: Tony Cascarino

• Chelsea fanzone

• Liverpool fanzone

• QA: Tommy Smith

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• Liverpool v Chelsea, live commentary

• Poll: will it be third time lucky for Chelsea?

The trophy Terry referred to is a replica; the real one is in the Anfield museum, given to Liverpool to commemorate their achievement in lifting the European Cup on five occasions. Chelsea have been clear favourites on the previous meetings, but, given Rafael Benítez's record in Europe, their improving league form and ongoing instability at Stamford Bridge that status is no longer as clear-cut, as Terry acknowledged.

“We've probably been favourites coming into these games in the past, but they're going well in the Champions League and the league also,” he said. “They've always had the backbone of Stevie [Gerrard] and Carra [Jamie Carragher], which is a massive presence for them, and the manager's bought well. They might not have the best team on paper, but on the pitch they're together.

“The atmosphere's obviously very good, which we're aware of. The crowd have made the difference in the last few occasions, but we can go back to the Bridge this time around. “They are very good in this competition, have a strong squad and a good manager, but that maybe provides another incentive. To beat them and go on and lift the trophy in Moscow.”

Many at Chelsea have set great store in the decisive second leg taking place on home territory, but Benítez dismissed the significance of such scheduling out of hand. “There's maybe a little edge for Chelsea in that, but I don't believe - and neither do the rest of the boys - that it will have any say on deciding who goes through,” he said. Stamford Bridge is a big stadium and it might give them more confidence, but it's got nothing like the aura about it that Anfield does and it certainly won't intimidate us.”

Grant seemed remarkably relaxed given what is at stake for him over the next nine days, although it is to be hoped that his team talk is less reliant on the word “history”. The Israeli's injury problems have at least eased, with Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba available and Frank Lampard showing great professionalism to focus on football despite his mother's illness.

“In these two months, we can make history,” Grant said. “I am not thinking about anything else. You always speak about history. We lost here two times, but that belongs to history. Now we can create history.”