Rafa Benitez took time out of his pre-match preparations to speak to radio journalists as part of the build-up to tomorrow's clash with Manchester United. Here is what he had to say in full.

Journalist: Rafa, a lot of Liverpool fans have said to me that they'd love to see the team go out at Manchester United in the same way they did against Real Madrid during the week. Can you do that at Old Trafford? Everything is possible. We will play against another team in another scenario. They have a lot of confidence in the league, so clearly it will be different and difficult. But if we play with the same high-tempo and keep the ball in the same way, then why not? Journalist: How much confidence do you take from that win against Madrid? I think we needed to play a good game to beat a top side like Madrid. We had confidence before, but now the mood is really good. I think people are waiting for this game with great excitement. Journalist: You've achieved many things during your time as Reds boss, but you have never won at Old Trafford. What has been the stumbling block? They are a good team and the atmosphere at Old Trafford is really good for them, so it is not easy - but maybe this can be the first time. Journalist: Would it represent a closing of the gap between the two sides if you were to complete a league double over them? Our idea is to get the three points, reduce the gap and stay close. We want the team to keep thinking about the title race. We know it will be very difficult, but if we can start the game well, I think we can do it. Journalist: Looking at the way the season has gone it would be fair to say Liverpool and Man United have been the best teams in England this season. When you consider the results in midweek, would it also be fair to say you are the two best sides in Europe too? We are both in a good position and have done well. You can say yes, but it would just create headlines. Looking at Europe, you can see the four English teams are still there, but I'd rather be in the final and then we can talk about these things. Journalist: Javier Mascherano's sending off last season caught all the headlines. Did it show that this is a game for cool heads? Yes clearly. In these types of games it is important to work really hard, play with your heart and also with your brain. The small details can decide the game, so you have to keep all your players on the pitch. Journalist: So you have to hope the man in charge has a similarly cool approach to it? It's not easy for the referee so you have to approach the game thinking they will try their best. Hopefully it will be okay. If he doesn't make a mistake, it will be up to the players on the pitch to make the difference. Journalist: Your players seem to show extra motivation ahead of big matches - do you sense it is there ahead of this one? Yes, this is the kind of game everyone wants to play in. It was the same against Real Madrid. They all want to play. Journalist: Ryan Babel played particularly well against Real Madrid on Tuesday night. Does that please or frustrate you because he hasn't always achieved that level this season? You have to be pleased when a player is doing well. It is very positive for his confidence and good for the team. We know he has talent. We are working with him. He is a young Dutch player who needs time. Van Persie was the same, Bergkamp was the same, so we have to be patient. We are now hoping to see the best of Babel for the rest of the season. Journalist: Of course, he has fond memories of playing against Man United this season, having scored the winner at Anfield back in September... Yes, he got the winner. It was very good for him and very good for our fans. To beat United was important. Journalist: Can the fact many are writing you off in the title race, act as a motivation to some of your players? It could be the case. We want to be in a position where we are proud and improving. We play for the club and the fans. It is part of our responsibility to try and do well. Journalist: So you still believe in your title chances? Clearly, if we can beat United you never know what can happen. If we can reduce the gap it will give us more confidence and we will approach the forthcoming games with positivity. Journalist: Do you sense an extra desire going into this fixture, this season, compared to ones in the past? Yes because we are in a much better position. We know it is a challenge. We know it can make a massive difference if we win there. Journalist: It's a while since you last scored there isn't it? Yes it is. Clearly, you must score the first goal. The players will then play with more confidence so we will try to do that. Journalist: Will Fernando Torres need an injection for the clash at Old Trafford? I don't know. Maybe. He was training today and is fit, so if he does it will be to just ease the pain.

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11:49 AM
Categories: Fernando Torres, Liverpool, Manchester United, Rafa Benitez, Ryan Babel. Author: nik

Rafael Benitez masterminded another magnificent European away triumph as Liverpool confounded the odds with a stunning 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Bernabeu.

Whatever the Liverpool manager's future is after months of rumours, he did his cause no harm at all thanks to Yossi Benayoun's headed winner.

Benitez has coached Liverpool to remarkable performances away to Juventus, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan and Chelsea in recent seasons in the Champions League, but this was by far the most impressive.

Real have been rampant of late and unbeaten this year, but Liverpool dug deep and Benayoun headed the late winner to give his side every chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.

Despite days of intensive treatment, Steven Gerrard did not make the starting XI, the midfielder initially left on the bench.

It meant Jamie Carragher captained the side with Benayoun on the right of midfield and Dirk Kuyt pushed forward in support of Fernando Torres.

Gerrard's absence was a bad blow but confirmed how Benitez would play the first leg. Contained defence, a combative and mobile midfield and hard running were the order of the day.

In the opening exchanges there was a calmness about Liverpool in this intimidating arena, five tiers of fervent passion pouring down in support of Real.

They defended with discipline and long before the break Real were trying their luck from distance.

The Spanish champions, who had scored 10 goals in their last two games, still had their moments.

Arjen Robben's pass gave Raul the chance of a shot on the turn held by Jose Reina, while Brazilian Marcelo also tested the goalkeeper.

And it took a fine saving tackle by Carragher on Gonzalo Higuain to snuff out another dangerous moment.

But the longer the game went on, the more Liverpool seemed in control defensively.

It also saw them coming out on the break and Torres should have done better after 20 minutes as he was allowed to run onto a Reina long clearance, but Iker Casillas palmed away a shot across the face of the goal.

Casillas then got a firm block on Benayoun close-range shot as Liverpool sought to snatch something from a period of growing confidence.

Higuain thought he had scored with a close-range header, only to be rightly penalised for offside, before Marcelo and Robben, twice, tried their luck unsuccessfully from outside the box.

Real had most of the possession but it was Spanish international Xabi Alonso who almost broke the deadlock with an audacious shot from inside his own half.

The midfielder is famous for such effrontery, once scoring a similar goal at Luton, but this time Casillas had to scramble back to touch the effort over the bar.

Madrid sent on Guti for Marcelo at the break, with Fabio Cannavaro booked for a foul on Dirk Kuyt soon after the restart.

Liverpool had not allowed Real to indulge themselves with the expansive game that has swept so many aside of late. Javier Mascherano's snap and drive in midfield was the yardstick for others to follow.

Torres, kept under close control by Cannavaro, was booked for a swipe at Lassana Diarra's ankles, the game now stretched as both sides searched for the vital breakthrough.

Benitez, never one to be bothered about reputations, then replaced a disappointing Torres with Ryan Babel after 62 minutes, to predictable derision from the home fans at the former Atletico Madrid man.

Mascherano was next into the book for a foul on Fernando Gago, Reina yet to have a serious shot to save in the half.

That was to come after 70 minutes when Reina touched over a dipping drive from Robben, Madrid starting to show more urgency as the minutes ticked away.

However, Liverpool were still comfortable and things got even better with eight minutes left.

Gabriel Heinze's foul on Kuyt gave Fabio Aurelio the opportunity to curl in a free-kick that Benayoun headed past Casillas from six yards.

Benayoun was engulfed by his jubilant team-mates and way up above them, 3,000 Liverpool fans erupted.

Albert Riera was booked, and then taken off injured, allowing Gerrard into the fray with three minutes left and Lucas replaced Kuyt in the final seconds, the game now won.

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5:36 PM
Categories: Champions League, Rafa Benitez, Real Madrid, Yossi Benayoun. Author: nik

Javier Mascherano is hoping Liverpool can bolster their title challenge with what he believes would be an all-important victory against Chelsea on Sunday.
The Argentina international feels three points against one of their nearest rivals would provide the squad with a huge lift following a run of four straight draws.

The Blues leapfrogged Liverpool into second-spot on Wednesday night but the midfielder is adamant that victory over Luiz Felipe Scolari's men would ensure the Reds can still a have a big say in the title race.

He said: "If we start to win from Sunday and go on a good run until the end of the season then we will have a good chance of winning the title.

"It is all about building momentum and also building a belief that we can win it, and the only way you can do that is by winning games so we all know just how important the game against Chelsea is.

"It no longer depends just on us and what we do because Manchester United are in the lead and this means it also depends on their results, but if we can win on Sunday it will give us a chance to capitalise if they drop any points.

"All we can do is concentrate on our own games and not worry about anyone else because if we get our own game right then it will give us a better chance of taking advantage if United or anyone else slips up.

"We can still fight for the title. It is definitely not finished."

Rafael Benitez's men are currently two points behind leaders Manchester United following Wednesday night's 1-1 draw at Wigan, with the Reds having played a game more.

Mascherano admits it was a frustrating night at the JJB Stadium but feels his teammates must focus on the next match against the Londoners and not dwell on dropped points.

"We were all massively disappointed because it was a really bad result for us," admitted the Argentina captain.

"We know that we have a lot of games still to come, but we felt it was really important to win against Wigan and the fact that we failed to do so is a big disappointment.

"I think we did everything to win the game and I cannot remember Wigan having any shots on our goal.

"I think we did okay for 80 minutes, but in the last 10 minutes we allowed them to score and it felt like the world was against us.

"But now we must prepare for a really big game against Chelsea and we need to look forward to this game and not look back to what happened against Wigan.

"It is difficult, but we are professional players and we need to focus on the next game and also to remember that there are a lot of games still to come."

Despite losing just once in the league this season, the Reds have often struggled to strike a killer blow, notching up nine draws from 23 games played.

Mascherano admits that they have had trouble breaking sides down but insists there is nothing to be gained from claiming opposition teams are stopping the Reds from playing their normal game.

"We can't use how teams play at Anfield as an excuse," he said.

"We know a lot of sides come to defend, but we need to find spaces and a way that we can beat them.

"It is not their fault that they play like that, so I don't like to talk about excuses.

"If a team defends more when they play against us then we need to find a way around that.

"But like the Wigan game, those games that we have drawn are in the past and now we must focus only on Chelsea because we know that we need to win."

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12:50 PM
Categories: EPL, Javier Mascherano, Liverpool. Chelsea, Luis Fellipe Scolari, Rafa Benitez. Author: nik

Liverpool will give Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard every chance to prove their fitness for Saturday's clash with Manchester United. Hopeful manager Rafael Benitez, still awaiting his first league win over the Reds' arch-rivals, says both of his leading lights are 'improving' as they battle back from their respective injuries.

Gerrard is the bigger doubt for the lunchtime clash after groin surgery but the Anfield club's medical staff are reportedly encouraged by Torres' progress in recovering from a hamstring injury.

Last weekend Gerrard said the United match would come too soon for him, and he was targeting the Champions League match against Marseille next Tuesday.

"It is always more difficult to prepare for the match with injuries because you know that if they are fit we will use them, but in this case you never know," Benitez said.

"It is better to avoid saying whether they can be available - it is difficult to say if they can play or not because they may have not played for 10 or 15 days.

"But they are both working hard with the physios and are improving, so there's still some time to decide."

Benitez remains optimistic about Gerrard, although he has confidence in the rest of the squad should his captain not make it.

"You never know, he is still progressing. The key is the fitness of the player - it makes a massive difference if he has confidence. That is the main thing for him," the Spaniard told the club's website.

"Clearly we have enough quality in the squad, so it is always important to look to the other players and sometimes they can give more to you than the big names.

"They can have the same quality and passion and they also have a lot to prove to the supporters."

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12:43 PM
Categories: Manchester United, Marseilles, Rafa Benitez, Soccernet, steven gerard. Author: nik

Rafa Benitez is backing his side to shift through the gears during what is set to be a crucial month in the club's season.

The Anfield boss knows the Reds have not totally convinced in their opening five matches despite an unbeaten run which has taken them to joint top of the league.

But with massive games against Manchester United and Everton looming in the next month, not to mention the start of our Champions League campaign, Benitez expects his side to start reaching full potential.

"Javier Mascherano, Lucas and Ryan Babel arrived late and I am sure that in a few weeks' time it will be better," the gaffer told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"We need to have better possession and work on having a higher tempo."

Liverpool's last outing brought a credible point at Villa Park without Steven Gerrard and, for the most part, Fernando Torres.

Benitez added: "Getting a draw without them showed the quality in the squad – but it could have been better.

"Having watched the videos, I thought we could have won. We had four chances – Alonso, Kuyt, Ngog and Keane. They had two and some set-pieces. So, the point was good but it could have been better.

"We changed the system to play 4-3-3 and give Xabi Alonso freedom, then when he was being pressed we changed to 4-2-3-1. People said, 'Oh, Robbie Keane wasn't playing well on the left.' But we had to think about winning the game, not just one player."

Gerrard is currently recovering from a groin operation due to keep him out 10-15 days.

On the skipper's race to face United on September 13, Benitez said: "Steven is okay. He's started with bicycle work and will start jogging, so I think he will be ready soon."

Meanwhile, the Liverpool boss is backing Daniel Agger to rise to the challenge of extra competition at centre-back.

The Dane has been absent from the starting XI since the first leg of our Champions League qualifier in Liege.

Benitez said: "Martin Skrtel is a good centre-back, Jamie Carragher is very consistent and Sami Hyypia is a good option also, so Daniel needs to work hard if he wants to play and he knows that.

"We want two players for each position but Daniel has a very good mentality and he will be ready."

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1:48 PM
Categories: Daniel agger, Manchester United, MU, Rafa Benitez, steven gerard. Author: nik

Liverpool left it late - very late - to secure their place in Thursday's Champions League draw and you can now enjoy Dirk Kuyt's 117th minute strike against Standard Liege online.

With the clock ticking towards a nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out Ryan Babel's cross from the left finally unlocked a well organised Belgian defence and Kuyt celebrated his 100th game for the club with the most important goal he's ever scored.

Meanwhile benitez hails amazing Kuyt ..

Rafael Benitez hailed the 'amazing' energy of Dirk Kuyt after the forward marked his 100th game for the Reds with the winner against Standard Liege.

The Dutchman was on hand to fire home Ryan Babel's deep cross with just two min
utes of extra-time remaining to secure a 1-0 win and book Liverpool's place in the lucrative Group Stage of the Champions League.

It was a strike that ended the Belgian champions' brave resistance and the Reds boss admitted he was relieved that his side's efforts were eventually rewarded.

"I was really pleased because Kuyt scored the winning goal," said Rafa.

"His effort is amazing every game. I'm also really pleased because Nabil played well again.

"We knew it could be difficult. From the first minute they played well and we knew they would play well on the counter attack so we had to work really hard until the end.

"For me the most positive thing is that we played a little bit better against a good team who are sharp and we scored at the end. That means that the team are working really hard."

Benitez felt the overriding factor behind his side's late winner was their ability in the wide areas and was pleased that they kept going, despite suffering an evening full of frustration.

"The goal came from a good cross from Ryan Babel and Nabil also played well," he said. "You play with wingers because it gives you space for penetrating passes.

"It's important to have balance in defence but also in attack so that you have pace and quality in the wide areas, with Torres and Keane in the middle.

"We had confidence and we kept pushing. We knew from the first game they are really good and today they also played well. They were always a threat because you know you can concede from a free-kick or a corner but we were going forward well and controlling the game but we were missing the final pass to make the difference."

In an end to end first-half the Reds were twice grateful to Pepe Reina for producing two fantastic saves and while Benitez was delighted with his stopper's display he refused to heap too much praise on individual performances.

"Pepe was the key player in the first game but today it is not about just one player, it is about all of them," he said.

"You could see how hard they were working against a good team. When you play this kind of game you know the other team is training and playing thinking about just this game.

"We had the international break the other day and a lot of players weren't ready, so it was important to make sure we got through and we can now start work again with the group."

Benitez and co can now look forward to tomorrow's group stage draw safe in the knowledge they have once again boosted both the Anfield coffers and their chances of more silverware come May.

"To have the possibility to play for trophies is amazing and really important and also in terms of money," he added.

"We know it is important. If you play at this level you will have more chances of winning trophies and money."

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10:05 AM
Categories: Dirk Kuyt, ECL, Rafa Benitez, Standard Liege. Author: nik

The new season is almost upon us and Rafa Benitez has given his first pre-match press conference of the Premier League campaign.

Reporters quizzed the gaffer on everything from Steven Gerrard's fitness and our title hopes to whether fans can expect any further additions during the current transfer window.

Here's what Rafa had to say in full:


Can we start with injury news, Rafa?

We had some problems the other day with Xabi Alonso and Yossi Benayoun receiving dead legs, and Fabio Aurelio and Martin Skrtel are improving, so we will see this afternoon and then decide. Steven Gerrard was training really well yesterday and he is okay.

Good news that Fabio is nearly back?

Yes, I think so. We need these players. Competition for places is good.

You've had a good pre-season in terms of results but are you happy that all your players are ready for the season?

Yes, I think it was important to see all the players training and we are really close to that. Philipp Degen is still injured but the rest of the squad is nearly there. If we see the Olympic players back soon, it'll be fantastic for the rest of the season.

Robbie Keane was your major signing over the summer – how is he fitting in?

He is okay - training really well and hard. He will need time, as always, to get an understanding with Torres and get to know all of his teammates.

What sort of system do you expect to play with those two?

It depends on the games. Keane has good movement in between the lines but also up front. We can play with both up front or maybe just one.

How excited are you by their partnership?

For a manager, when the ball is in attack, everything depends on the players you have. When you have players with quality and game intelligence like Keane and Torres it makes it easier for me, so maybe I will enjoy it.

Are you happy that you have the right sort of strength in depth now?

The squad is better and that was my idea. We do have some problems on the left because we have lost John Arne Riise, Harry Kewell and Sebastian Leto – because of his work permit. Okay, we will see what happens in the future but yes, the squad is better.

Another young player you've brought in is David Ngog, who's caught a lot of people's eye. Is he one to watch this season?

Yes, we knew when we bought him that he was a good player. Watching him in every training session, you see different things. You see his quality and I think he's also been pretty good in the games. He will be a good player for us for the rest of the season and hopefully for the future.


Rafa on priorities
Our priority is always to try to win every game, then you see where you are a contender or whether you can win this trophy or another. We will try to do our best in all the competitions but if you had to decide which one you wanted, I think all the fans would say the Premier League.
The years go by and every season people say it will be Liverpool's year, but do you feel that this season – do you feel it could be your year?

As I said, we have a better squad, but it always depends on the other teams too. We can be really good, but look at a few years ago when we got 82 points but still finished third. There are very good teams in the Premier League.

Is the Premier League your priority this year?

Our priority is always to try to win every game, then you see whether you are a contender or whether you can win this trophy or another. We will try to do our best in all the competitions but if you had to decide which one you wanted, I think all the fans would say the Premier League.

Last season you rested some of your major players in Premier League games – is it going to be the same this time or can we expect a more settled side?

It depends on the game and the players. Last season people talked about Torres but he was injured for two or three games and then on the bench for one or two. If you win, nobody talks about rotation. We will try to win and then you can talk about victories and not rotation.

Do you expect to make any more signings before the end of the transfer window?

Really, I don't know. We will continue working and then see.

Is any deal for Gareth Barry dead given the fact he played in the UEFA Cup?

I will try to be very clear because I would like to talk about the next games and Sunderland. Everybody has been talking and it is clear some newspapers and journalists – and all our supporters know this – blame me for everything: global warming; rises in petrol prices; everything. In this case, I want to be clear: since I talked with Martin O'Neill in April, I didn't talk with anyone else at Aston Villa. All the talks have been between Rick Parry and the owner and chief executive of Aston Villa – and they have been pretty good. If someone wants to talk about Barry in the future, they will have to talk to the owner or chief executive of Aston Villa, or Rick Parry. I was not doing the talks about Barry; I was not doing the talks about Alonso and Arsenal.

Has the situation been frustrating for you?

If you want to talk about players, you have to talk to Rick Parry; if you want to talk about football, talk to me.

In terms of football, are the players keen to get that Standard Liege performance out of their system this weekend?

Yes, the reaction of the players in training yesterday was fantastic. We were very happy to see them back on the pitch after a bad performance, and they showed a high tempo and determination. That is what we wanted to see.

And do your scouting reports suggest Sunderland are a better side this season?

Yes, they have clearly signed some good players. It is always tough to play away at Sunderland because they have some quality players. It could be a physical game but also a game with good football.

Back to the title race, and you say you have a better squad but the other three teams will have as well, won't they? Is the gap between you and them narrower?

You really don't know. We are pleased with the people we have signed but it will be the same with the other managers. For me, good teams have signed good players, and maybe we will see some surprises.

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5:54 PM
Categories: EPL, Rafa Benitez. Author: nik

The Reds boss has been pleased by what he has seen from the duo during their brief time together in pre-season and expects them to prove their quality in the forthcoming campaign - with the Spaniard hopeful that Standard Liege will be first on their hit-list. "I think the two strikers are top class and on the same level as anyone," he told reporters at a press conference ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League qualifier with Standard Liege at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne. "If they play together a lot I think they can go on and get better and better. "If you ask me, I would prefer them to have played together more in pre-season, but Torres came back late and we only signed Keane recently so it wasn't ideal. "Both players are clever and it is clear that if they play together for a long time, it will be easier for them to develop an understanding. I think they will be okay and can show their quality. "In the time they have had together they have played well and we have been scoring goals. They need time but we have confidence in them and I think we played well in the last game against Lazio." Standing in the way of Torres and co's progress to the Group stages of Europe's elite competition are Belgian champions Standard Liege. Benitez admits his side must be wary of any opponent they go head-to-head with in the Champions League but is confident his side will not fall to the same fate that saw last's season's UEFA Cup finalists, Rangers, come unstuck. "I have confidence in my players and you must always be careful of any team you come up against in Europe," he said. "I know Liege lost to St Etienne in a friendly but they also won the Belgian Super Cup the other day so we need to be careful. "Any top side competing in this competition must be aware of the quality of the teams involved. We must be focused every game and make sure we do not make any mistakes. "We know it's important to qualify every year and hopefully it will be the same this year." He continued: "We have been trying to learn a lot about Liege and have been watching the games they have been playing recently and of course analysing last season too. We have some information. "My staff have been watching games from last season but they have changed coach from then so to see them now is more important." Benitez also revealed that he would assess Steven Gerrard in tonight's training session at the Sclessin before making a decision on whether to field him in tomorrow's first-leg encounter. "He will train today so hopefully he will be okay for the match," he said. While the Reds captain looks likely to win his fitness battle, one player who won't feature is full-back Steve Finnan, who Benitez feels is still short of match practice. "He is not on the bench and has not travelled but we have Arbeloa in that position," said the Anfield manager. "He was injured at the beginning of pre-season and had an operation and although he is now training with the team, he is still a bit behind in fitness."

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8:30 PM
Categories: Rafa Benitez, Robbie Keane, steven gerard, Torress. Author: nik

Rafael Benitez today responded to speculation linking Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt with moves away from Anfield and insisted: "Neither player will be leaving."
Benayoun is reportedly attracting interest from Italian giants Roma while Kuyt has this morning been linked with a switch to Hamburg in Germany.

The Liverpool boss has spoken with both players over the past 24 hours and is adamant each has a big part to play in the club's quest for honours this season.

He said: "It is true that Roma are interested in Yossi. I was talking with him yesterday and told him I want to keep him. He is a player with quality and has shown that during pre-season. I have no more news about Yossi - he will be staying with us.








"I also talked with Dirk Kuyt this morning. I am really pleased with him and he will be staying with us."

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12:02 PM
Categories: Dirk Kuyt, Rafa Benitez, Yossi Benayoun. Author: nik