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RAFA BENITEZ TALKS TO LIVERPOOLFC.TV
Liverpoolfc.tv 11 April 2008
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez reflects on another glorious European triumph and looks ahead to this week's clash with Blackburn in an exclusive interview with the club's official website. To watch our interview with Rafa at Melwood, click here>>
Firstly Rafa, the club are on the back pages again today for all the wrong reasons - what's your take on the events of the last 24 hours?
I understand why you have to ask the question but, as I have told the players, we must be focused on football. We have an important game on Sunday and we have to concentrate on that.
Have you come back down to earth yet after Tuesday night?
Yes. I think everybody enjoyed the game and then enjoyed the moments after it, but now we have to think about the next match and that's why we are thinking about Blackburn.
You are into the semi-finals again - how proud does that make you feel?
I am really pleased, really happy and really proud of the team. The work-rate of the players and the atmosphere within the stadium was amazing.
It was a difficult first 20 minutes for your side – why do you think that was?
Because they played with a high-tempo. We gave the ball away on three or four occasions and made some mistakes. They kept going and moving the ball quickly. Once we got over that period and for the rest of the first half and all of the second half we were much better and got on top of them. I was surprised with the first twenty minutes but much happier after that.
What pleased you most about the performance after those initial stages?
We had the confidence and the belief that we could go forward and that was the key for me. As soon as we scored the first goal you could see the players were working as hard as always but with more confidence. As soon as Sami scored you could see the players working much better with the ball.
What was going through your head when Adebayor pulled level – did you see a way back for Liverpool?
I was thinking about solutions - about maybe using Voronin and being a bit more offensive if we could - but we didn't have too much time before the penalty.
How confident were you that Steven Gerrard would score?
I had been watching some of the players taking penalties in training and they were really good so I had confidence. Then Ryan showed the pace and the ability that he has to finish the game. People have asked me whether I could enjoy the game and I say I enjoyed the last two minutes.
Xabi Alonso put Tuesday in his top three Anfield occasions – what about you?
I think it was one of the best. I remember the game against Olympiacos and the semi-finals against Chelsea but the atmosphere in this game, along with everything that was going on, was amazing.
It's Chelsea next – do they present a very different challenge to Arsenal?
It will be different. Chelsea are a side with good balance. They are good in attack and strong in defence. Also they are physically strong so it will be tough. Both teams know each other very well so it will be difficult for the two sides.
This time the second leg is at Stamford Bridge – is that a disadvantage?
We know that playing the second game at Anfield is always a massive difference for us, but we will play the first match there and see what we can do before going to Chelsea.
The likes of Drogba, Lampard and Terry are going to be desperate for revenge after 2005 and 2007 – will that have an impact?
Hopefully not. They will try, for sure, but hopefully we can win again and reach another final.
How tough is it to now be ultra-professional and put the Champions League out of your minds?
We have experience and we know it's important to be focused on the league. We are always talking about how important it is to finish in the top four. The players know, the staff know and so we have to be ready for this weekend.
In 2005 the European run arguably affected Liverpool's league form – is your squad better equipped this time round?
I think so. We have the experience to cope with this situation and we are also three points ahead in the table so it's different.
How likely are we to see changes this weekend after the incredible efforts of your players in midweek?
Maybe. Some of the players are a little bit tired but we have time. We will check tomorrow in the training session and see who will be fit for the game.
Blackburn seem to have a habit of frustrating Liverpool over the years – why do you think that is?
They are a tough team to play against because physically they are aggressive, they are well organised and it has been difficult against them in the past, but maybe this time it will be different.
Is it primarily a physical challenge when you play against Blackburn?
It's one of the main things but they also have some players with quality. We need to be aware of their physical approach and also of their quality on the pitch.
What are your memories of the 0-0 at Ewood Park earlier in the season?
We had some good chances, especially with Kuyt at the end. I remember people saying he had missed the chances, but always I say the same that he was in the position. He's always there.
Mark Hughes doesn't have a lot of money yet they are always around the European places – what do you make of the job he's doing?
Yes, I think he's doing a good job. As we were saying before, they are a difficult side to play against and they're in a good position in the table.
David Bentley is a player Liverpool are often linked with – how highly do you rate him?
He is a good player. People have asked me about him and I say he is a player with quality but I have a lot of respect for the other team and so don't want to say too much.
Who are the other dangers?
As well as Bentley's crossing, Santa Cruz is on fire at the moment as well so clearly we need to be careful about certain situations.
Looking at the race for fourth – how many more wins will it take to secure Champions League qualification?
If we want to be sure then four wins. Maybe that number could be less, though.
With a semi-final and hopefully a final to concentrate on, how keen are you to get fourth place wrapped up sooner rather than later?
That's what we've been telling the players. We want to win every game now if it's possible and then see what happens with Everton. We want to make sure we can finish in the top four and then think about the semi-final.
Any injury news?
Pennant is much better and it's the same situation with Agger and Kewell. The rest of the squad are fit.
Liverpoolfc.tv 11 April 2008
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez reflects on another glorious European triumph and looks ahead to this week's clash with Blackburn in an exclusive interview with the club's official website. To watch our interview with Rafa at Melwood, click here>> Firstly Rafa, the club are on the back pages again today for all the wrong reasons - what's your take on the events of the last 24 hours?
I understand why you have to ask the question but, as I have told the players, we must be focused on football. We have an important game on Sunday and we have to concentrate on that.
Have you come back down to earth yet after Tuesday night?
Yes. I think everybody enjoyed the game and then enjoyed the moments after it, but now we have to think about the next match and that's why we are thinking about Blackburn.
You are into the semi-finals again - how proud does that make you feel?
I am really pleased, really happy and really proud of the team. The work-rate of the players and the atmosphere within the stadium was amazing.
It was a difficult first 20 minutes for your side – why do you think that was?
Because they played with a high-tempo. We gave the ball away on three or four occasions and made some mistakes. They kept going and moving the ball quickly. Once we got over that period and for the rest of the first half and all of the second half we were much better and got on top of them. I was surprised with the first twenty minutes but much happier after that.
What pleased you most about the performance after those initial stages?
We had the confidence and the belief that we could go forward and that was the key for me. As soon as we scored the first goal you could see the players were working as hard as always but with more confidence. As soon as Sami scored you could see the players working much better with the ball.
What was going through your head when Adebayor pulled level – did you see a way back for Liverpool?
I was thinking about solutions - about maybe using Voronin and being a bit more offensive if we could - but we didn't have too much time before the penalty.
How confident were you that Steven Gerrard would score?
I had been watching some of the players taking penalties in training and they were really good so I had confidence. Then Ryan showed the pace and the ability that he has to finish the game. People have asked me whether I could enjoy the game and I say I enjoyed the last two minutes.
Xabi Alonso put Tuesday in his top three Anfield occasions – what about you?
I think it was one of the best. I remember the game against Olympiacos and the semi-finals against Chelsea but the atmosphere in this game, along with everything that was going on, was amazing.
It's Chelsea next – do they present a very different challenge to Arsenal?
It will be different. Chelsea are a side with good balance. They are good in attack and strong in defence. Also they are physically strong so it will be tough. Both teams know each other very well so it will be difficult for the two sides.
This time the second leg is at Stamford Bridge – is that a disadvantage?
We know that playing the second game at Anfield is always a massive difference for us, but we will play the first match there and see what we can do before going to Chelsea.
The likes of Drogba, Lampard and Terry are going to be desperate for revenge after 2005 and 2007 – will that have an impact?
Hopefully not. They will try, for sure, but hopefully we can win again and reach another final.
How tough is it to now be ultra-professional and put the Champions League out of your minds?
We have experience and we know it's important to be focused on the league. We are always talking about how important it is to finish in the top four. The players know, the staff know and so we have to be ready for this weekend.
In 2005 the European run arguably affected Liverpool's league form – is your squad better equipped this time round?
I think so. We have the experience to cope with this situation and we are also three points ahead in the table so it's different.
How likely are we to see changes this weekend after the incredible efforts of your players in midweek?
Maybe. Some of the players are a little bit tired but we have time. We will check tomorrow in the training session and see who will be fit for the game.
Blackburn seem to have a habit of frustrating Liverpool over the years – why do you think that is?
They are a tough team to play against because physically they are aggressive, they are well organised and it has been difficult against them in the past, but maybe this time it will be different.
Is it primarily a physical challenge when you play against Blackburn?
It's one of the main things but they also have some players with quality. We need to be aware of their physical approach and also of their quality on the pitch.
What are your memories of the 0-0 at Ewood Park earlier in the season?
We had some good chances, especially with Kuyt at the end. I remember people saying he had missed the chances, but always I say the same that he was in the position. He's always there.
Mark Hughes doesn't have a lot of money yet they are always around the European places – what do you make of the job he's doing?
Yes, I think he's doing a good job. As we were saying before, they are a difficult side to play against and they're in a good position in the table.
David Bentley is a player Liverpool are often linked with – how highly do you rate him?
He is a good player. People have asked me about him and I say he is a player with quality but I have a lot of respect for the other team and so don't want to say too much.
Who are the other dangers?
As well as Bentley's crossing, Santa Cruz is on fire at the moment as well so clearly we need to be careful about certain situations.
Looking at the race for fourth – how many more wins will it take to secure Champions League qualification?
If we want to be sure then four wins. Maybe that number could be less, though.
With a semi-final and hopefully a final to concentrate on, how keen are you to get fourth place wrapped up sooner rather than later?
That's what we've been telling the players. We want to win every game now if it's possible and then see what happens with Everton. We want to make sure we can finish in the top four and then think about the semi-final.
Any injury news?
Pennant is much better and it's the same situation with Agger and Kewell. The rest of the squad are fit.