The Fixer
Well-Known Member
Rafa Benitez: Liverpool's experience will sink Champions League pretenders Manchester City, Spurs and Aston Villa
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 1:22 PM on 27th March 2010
Know how: Liverpool players such as Steven Gerrard (right) and Dirk Kuyt (second left) have enjoyed several seasons in Europe's top competition
Manager Rafa Benitez thinks Liverpool's previous experience in securing Champions League football will help them come good at the end of the season.
The Reds are currently sixth, four points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, but that gap could be more by the end of the day.
And although his side have played more matches than Spurs, Manchester City and Aston Villa, Benitez is confident his players can rise to the occasion with at least five wins required from their last seven matches.
'I had the belief before last weekend's defeat at Manchester United and the main thing is to keep focused on our games and try to win and we will see what happens with the other teams,' said the Spaniard.
'Normally when you are in a top side and you have been in a top side for years you expect to approach every game thinking about just winning.
'With the other teams you never know but at this moment they have an excellent motivation.
'But it is different for them, when they have been coming fifth, sixth or seventh, to go forward than when you have been in the top four and have had some problems.
'That is the extra motivation they have so the experience we have will be our motivation too.'
Pepe Reina is left baffled by Darren Bent's deflected strike off a beachball
Embarrassment: Liverpool will hope to avoid a repeat on Sunday of the defeat to Sunderland earlier this season, where keeper Pepe Reina was left baffled by Darren Bent's deflected strike off a beachball for the only goal of the game
Liverpool host Sunderland tomorrow, a game they have to win if they are to maintain the pressure on their rivals. Midfielder Javier Mascherano is likely to play a key role against combative opponents Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana.
Benitez praised the attitude of the Argentina captain, who this week said the Reds boss had made him "a better player and better person".
Mascherano is on the verge of signing a new long-term contract and Benitez, with a dig at winger Albert Riera who criticised him for not communicating with his players, said that was partly due to the relationship they had.
'We are working hard behind the scenes so it is closer. I talk with him every day so I know the latest news,' said the manager. 'The last conversation was very positive. He knows we are trying to improve the club and hopefully we can do it sooner rather than later.
Ji-sung Park heads in his team's second goal
Heading in the wrong direction: Ji-sung Park heads Manchester United's second goal to condemn the Reds to another Premier League defeat last weekend
'For a manager who doesn't talk to the players - so some of them say - that is good. I think he has improved a lot and he is keen to learn. He is 100 per cent and the fans love him and we know when we are trying to improve him in a different way he will listen and try to do what you say.
'The main thing is the attitude of the player and his character.'
Anfield stewards will be extra vigilant with visiting fans tomorrow to ensure there can be no repeat of Darren Bent's infamous beach ball goal which earned Sunderland a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light in October.
Bwahahaha is this the same liverpool who have fcuked it up royal all season? deluded fat spanish ****!!
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 1:22 PM on 27th March 2010
Know how: Liverpool players such as Steven Gerrard (right) and Dirk Kuyt (second left) have enjoyed several seasons in Europe's top competition
Manager Rafa Benitez thinks Liverpool's previous experience in securing Champions League football will help them come good at the end of the season.
The Reds are currently sixth, four points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, but that gap could be more by the end of the day.
And although his side have played more matches than Spurs, Manchester City and Aston Villa, Benitez is confident his players can rise to the occasion with at least five wins required from their last seven matches.
'I had the belief before last weekend's defeat at Manchester United and the main thing is to keep focused on our games and try to win and we will see what happens with the other teams,' said the Spaniard.
'Normally when you are in a top side and you have been in a top side for years you expect to approach every game thinking about just winning.
'With the other teams you never know but at this moment they have an excellent motivation.
'But it is different for them, when they have been coming fifth, sixth or seventh, to go forward than when you have been in the top four and have had some problems.
'That is the extra motivation they have so the experience we have will be our motivation too.'
Pepe Reina is left baffled by Darren Bent's deflected strike off a beachball
Embarrassment: Liverpool will hope to avoid a repeat on Sunday of the defeat to Sunderland earlier this season, where keeper Pepe Reina was left baffled by Darren Bent's deflected strike off a beachball for the only goal of the game
Liverpool host Sunderland tomorrow, a game they have to win if they are to maintain the pressure on their rivals. Midfielder Javier Mascherano is likely to play a key role against combative opponents Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana.
Benitez praised the attitude of the Argentina captain, who this week said the Reds boss had made him "a better player and better person".
Mascherano is on the verge of signing a new long-term contract and Benitez, with a dig at winger Albert Riera who criticised him for not communicating with his players, said that was partly due to the relationship they had.
'We are working hard behind the scenes so it is closer. I talk with him every day so I know the latest news,' said the manager. 'The last conversation was very positive. He knows we are trying to improve the club and hopefully we can do it sooner rather than later.
Ji-sung Park heads in his team's second goal
Heading in the wrong direction: Ji-sung Park heads Manchester United's second goal to condemn the Reds to another Premier League defeat last weekend
'For a manager who doesn't talk to the players - so some of them say - that is good. I think he has improved a lot and he is keen to learn. He is 100 per cent and the fans love him and we know when we are trying to improve him in a different way he will listen and try to do what you say.
'The main thing is the attitude of the player and his character.'
Anfield stewards will be extra vigilant with visiting fans tomorrow to ensure there can be no repeat of Darren Bent's infamous beach ball goal which earned Sunderland a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light in October.
Bwahahaha is this the same liverpool who have fcuked it up royal all season? deluded fat spanish ****!!
