LIVERPOOL - Rafael Benitez says players should not linger too long on the Heysel tragedy when his Liverpool side face Juventus in the Champions League soccer quarterfinal, first leg at Anfield tomorrow (NZ time).
It is the first time the two clubs have met since 39 mostly Italian fans died at the 1985 European Cup final when a wall collapsed inside the Heysel Stadium following crowd trouble.
On what is sure to be an emotional night for both sets of players and fans, Benitez believes the best way to respect those who died in the tragedy will be by providing an entertaining spectacle on the pitch.
"We have been talking a lot about how important the game is for everyone," said the Spaniard, who took over at Anfield last year after a successful spell with Valencia.
"But if you want to help people the most important thing is talking about positive things and the future. You have to have positive words for people around the tragedy.
"I have seen the problems all those years ago and I say the best thing is to think about the good relations now between the supporters.
"We have done, as a club, the things we have to do. Now my responsibility is to do the best for the club and give our supporters something to cheer about by winning. "
Striker Milan Baros also said the players from both sides must not get distracted by the occasion.
"I can't remember what happened at Heysel because I was only four years old," the Czech international said.
"I have read a lot of things about what happened and it is very sad to hear. But when the game starts we must think about the result because we need to win and so do Juventus.
"The Juventus supporters will be welcomed and we will think about what happened before and after the game. But when the game starts it will just be about a game of football. "
Baros will be Liverpool's sole recognised striker against Juventus as Fernando Morientes is ineligible and Djibril Cisse, Florent Sinama Pongolle and Neil Mellor are all injured.
Benitez, however, said his team would attack, although not conceding an away goal was also vital.
"The idea is to have a clean sheet but that doesn't mean we won't attack," he said.
"We need to win because they are strong at home and don't concede goals.
"They have players that will score at home so we have to win the game and go to Italy with a clean sheet if possible."
- REUTERS
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