Rafa Benitez was quick to dismiss the hullabaloo surrounding
Liverpool’s mauling of Manchester United on Saturday.
The 4-1 thrashing of the league leaders at Old Trafford means
that there is once again life in the title race, even if Liverpool
remain four points adrift having played a game more.
Before the game Benitez had mad no bones about the fact his side
had to win to maintain hopes of the club’s first ever Premier
League trophy.
It was a triumph made to look all the more impressive by the
fact that it arrived just four days after the 4-0 win at home to
Real Madrid but Benitez was predictably level-headed.
“The best week is when you can win titles,” he said on the
club’s official website. “To win games is part of the battle but
you have to win the war which is the most important thing.
"It depends on United at the end because they have to lose some
games and we have to win almost every one, so we are in a better
position.
"We have more belief, more confidence and we have to get three
points now in every game and then see what happens.
"In football anything can happen. Clearly it will be difficult
but we can win every game.
"We always approach every game to win and we can beat anyone as
we have shown this week. You can always win every game when you
have good players, good supporters behind you and a very good
staff.
"We need to be consistent, focused and concentrate on each game
and don't make mistakes."
The Spaniard was equally humble when asked about the game
itself, preferring to heap praise on everyone else associated with
the club rather than take the acclaim for himself.
"I am really happy for my team, the club and the supporters,"
Benitez told reporters at his after match press conference. "It’s
always very difficult when you play United, whether it be at home
or away, so to score four goals here I have to be really
pleased.
"I'd also like to say thanks to my staff who have been working
very hard. While I was answering questions at the press conference,
all my staff were preparing the players for this game.
"The most important thing was to see my team get three points
and see how well the players played.
"Manchester United have a fantastic team and a fantastic squad,
and you saw their bench with the three players they brought on, but
our game plan was clear. We tried to stop them playing and we
closed the spaces and made it very difficult for them to create
chances.
"This week we have beaten two of the top sides in Europe in Real
Madrid and Manchester United, and scored four goals in both games
so that is fantastic and again, we have to be really pleased."
