RED RAW ... Benitez admits he faces a huge
task
The furious Liverpool boss blasted his team's shocking
body language in the final minutes of Monday's 1-0 defeat at lowly
Wigan.
Benitez also criticised his sixth-placed Reds for:
Arguing amongst themselves.
Committing petty fouls when things went wrong.
Lacking leadership when it mattered most.
Their loss left Liverpool a point behind Tottenham and
Manchester City - having played more games - in the race for the
fourth spot.
And that is after Spaniard Benitez guaranteed in
mid-December that they would make the Champions League for next
season.
The Kop chief said: "I don't like players showing
disappointment with body language. It's not positive. It is
important to show leadership and bring people on board.
"It is important to show the right approach to your
team-mates. We have said we want to improve this.
"Watching the highlights, I could see the keeper
blaming the defenders and the defenders blaming the keeper. If you
see these things too much, it means you are making too many
mistakes.
"I don't remember too many games when I was that
disappointed. We needed to do things well - we didn't."
Benitez insists his fury has nothing to do with the
V-sign rumpus that erupted around Steven Gerrard.
The skipper appeared to show two fingers to ref Andre
Marriner after being booked.
Benitez said: "It was nothing. Sometimes you move your
fingers but this is not something we're considering as there was
nothing in it.
"We spoke about committing fouls. We must be calm and
play better football instead of fouling."
Benitez admits it is crunch time as Liverpool start a
run-in that will decide whether he and the likes of Gerrard and
Fernando Torres have a future at Anfield.
The Reds boss accepts breathing life into his flagging
team's bid for a top-four place is one of his toughest
challenges.
But as Liverpool flew to France for tonight's Europa
League last-16 clash with Lille, Benitez insists they are still
capable of finishing the season on a high note.
He said: "This could be a crucial period for the future
of the club.The main thing for me is to concentrate on football and
get the best out of the players. I have confidence we will progress
in both competitions."
The Reds boss was tight-lipped when asked directly
whether he feared for his future - and that of his star players -
if Liverpool fail to turn things around.
He added: "When I decided to stay I decided to fight.
The best thing for the club is for me to concentrate on getting the
best from the players.
"That's something I must do for the fans and the
club."
The previously supportive Kop fans have become
dis-illusioned in recent weeks.
But Benitez said: "All clubs have a bad season. You see
clubs who haven't won anything in the last 20 years.
"The first thing to do is win the next game, then
everyone will be happier."
LIKELY LINE-UP: Reina, Johnson,
Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel,
Torres.
Lacking leadership when it mattered most.
Their loss left Liverpool a point behind Tottenham and
Manchester City - having played more games - in the race for the
fourth spot.
And that is after Spaniard Benitez guaranteed in
mid-December that they would make the Champions League for next
season.
Committing petty fouls when things went wrong.
Lacking leadership when it mattered most.
Their loss left Liverpool a point behind Tottenham and
Manchester City - having played more games - in the race for the
fourth spot.
And that is after Spaniard Benitez guaranteed in
mid-December that they would make the Champions League for next
season.
The Kop chief said: "I don't like players showing
disappointment with body language. It's not positive. It is
important to show leadership and bring people on board.
"It is important to show the right approach to your
team-mates. We have said we want to improve this.
"Watching the highlights, I could see the keeper
blaming the defenders and the defenders blaming the keeper. If you
see these things too much, it means you are making too many
mistakes.
"I don't remember too many games when I was that
disappointed. We needed to do things well - we didn't."
Benitez insists his fury has nothing to do with the
V-sign rumpus that erupted around Steven Gerrard.
The skipper appeared to show two fingers to ref Andre
Marriner after being booked.
Benitez said: "It was nothing. Sometimes you move your
fingers but this is not something we're considering as there was
nothing in it.
"We spoke about committing fouls. We must be calm and
play better football instead of fouling."
Benitez admits it is crunch time as Liverpool start a
run-in that will decide whether he and the likes of Gerrard and
Fernando Torres have a future at Anfield.
The Reds boss accepts breathing life into his flagging
team's bid for a top-four place is one of his toughest
challenges.
But as Liverpool flew to France for tonight's Europa
League last-16 clash with Lille, Benitez insists they are still
capable of finishing the season on a high note.
Committing petty fouls when things went wrong.
Lacking leadership when it mattered most.
Their loss left Liverpool a point behind Tottenham and
Manchester City - having played more games - in the race for the
fourth spot.
And that is after Spaniard Benitez guaranteed in
mid-December that they would make the Champions League for next
season.
The Kop chief said: "I don't like players showing
disappointment with body language. It's not positive. It is
important to show leadership and bring people on board.
"It is important to show the right approach to your
team-mates. We have said we want to improve this.
"Watching the highlights, I could see the keeper
blaming the defenders and the defenders blaming the keeper. If you
see these things too much, it means you are making too many
mistakes.
"I don't remember too many games when I was that
disappointed. We needed to do things well - we didn't."
Benitez insists his fury has nothing to do with the
V-sign rumpus that erupted around Steven Gerrard.
The skipper appeared to show two fingers to ref Andre
Marriner after being booked.
Benitez said: "It was nothing. Sometimes you move your
fingers but this is not something we're considering as there was
nothing in it.
"We spoke about committing fouls. We must be calm and
play better football instead of fouling."
Benitez admits it is crunch time as Liverpool start a
run-in that will decide whether he and the likes of Gerrard and
Fernando Torres have a future at Anfield.
The Reds boss accepts breathing life into his flagging
team's bid for a top-four place is one of his toughest
challenges.
But as Liverpool flew to France for tonight's Europa
League last-16 clash with Lille, Benitez insists they are still
capable of finishing the season on a high note.
Committing petty fouls when things went wrong.
Lacking leadership when it mattered most.
Their loss left Liverpool a point behind Tottenham and
Manchester City - having played more games - in the race for the
fourth spot.
And that is after Spaniard Benitez guaranteed in
mid-December that they would make the Champions League for next
season.
The Kop chief said: "I don't like players showing
disappointment with body language. It's not positive. It is
important to show leadership and bring people on board.
"It is important to show the right approach to your
team-mates. We have said we want to improve this.
"Watching the highlights, I could see the keeper
blaming the defenders and the defenders blaming the keeper. If you
see these things too much, it means you are making too many
mistakes.
"I don't remember too many games when I was that
disappointed. We needed to do things well - we didn't."
Benitez insists his fury has nothing to do with the
V-sign rumpus that erupted around Steven Gerrard.
The skipper appeared to show two fingers to ref Andre
Marriner after being booked.
Benitez said: "It was nothing. Sometimes you move your
fingers but this is not something we're considering as there was
nothing in it.
"We spoke about committing fouls. We must be calm and
play better football instead of fouling."
Benitez admits it is crunch time as Liverpool start a
run-in that will decide whether he and the likes of Gerrard and
Fernando Torres have a future at Anfield.
The Reds boss accepts breathing life into his flagging
team's bid for a top-four place is one of his toughest
challenges.
But as Liverpool flew to France for tonight's Europa
League last-16 clash with Lille, Benitez insists they are still
capable of finishing the season on a high note.
Arguing amongst themselves.
Committing petty fouls when things went wrong.
Lacking leadership when it mattered most.
Their loss left Liverpool a point behind Tottenham and
Manchester City - having played more games - in the race for the
fourth spot.
And that is after Spaniard Benitez guaranteed in
mid-December that they would make the Champions League for next
season.
The Kop chief said: "I don't like players showing
disappointment with body language. It's not positive. It is
important to show leadership and bring people on board.
"It is important to show the right approach to your
team-mates. We have said we want to improve this.
"Watching the highlights, I could see the keeper
blaming the defenders and the defenders blaming the keeper. If you
see these things too much, it means you are making too many
mistakes.
"I don't remember too many games when I was that
disappointed. We needed to do things well - we didn't."
Benitez insists his fury has nothing to do with the
V-sign rumpus that erupted around Steven Gerrard.
The skipper appeared to show two fingers to ref Andre
Marriner after being booked.
Benitez said: "It was nothing. Sometimes you move your
fingers but this is not something we're considering as there was
nothing in it.
"We spoke about committing fouls. We must be calm and
play better football instead of fouling."
Benitez admits it is crunch time as Liverpool start a
run-in that will decide whether he and the likes of Gerrard and
Fernando Torres have a future at Anfield.
The Reds boss accepts breathing life into his flagging
team's bid for a top-four place is one of his toughest
challenges.
But as Liverpool flew to France for tonight's Europa
League last-16 clash with Lille, Benitez insists they are still
capable of finishing the season on a high note.
Advertisement
He said: "This could be a crucial period for the future
of the club.The main thing for me is to concentrate on football and
get the best out of the players. I have confidence we will progress
in both competitions."
The Reds boss was tight-lipped when asked directly
whether he feared for his future - and that of his star players -
if Liverpool fail to turn things around.
He added: "When I decided to stay I decided to fight.
The best thing for the club is for me to concentrate on getting the
best from the players.
"That's something I must do for the fans and the
club."
The previously supportive Kop fans have become
dis-illusioned in recent weeks.
But Benitez said: "All clubs have a bad season. You see
clubs who haven't won anything in the last 20 years.
"The first thing to do is win the next game, then
everyone will be happier."
LIKELY LINE-UP: Reina, Johnson,
Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel,
Torres.
Arguing amongst themselves.
Committing petty fouls when things went wrong.
Lacking leadership when it mattered most.
Their loss left Liverpool a point behind Tottenham and
Manchester City - having played more games - in the race for the
fourth spot.
And that is after Spaniard Benitez guaranteed in
mid-December that they would make the Champions League for next
season.
The Kop chief said: "I don't like players showing
disappointment with body language. It's not positive. It is
important to show leadership and bring people on board.
"It is important to show the right approach to your
team-mates. We have said we want to improve this.
"Watching the highlights, I could see the keeper
blaming the defenders and the defenders blaming the keeper. If you
see these things too much, it means you are making too many
mistakes.
"I don't remember too many games when I was that
disappointed. We needed to do things well - we didn't."
Benitez insists his fury has nothing to do with the
V-sign rumpus that erupted around Steven Gerrard.
The skipper appeared to show two fingers to ref Andre
Marriner after being booked.
Benitez said: "It was nothing. Sometimes you move your
fingers but this is not something we're considering as there was
nothing in it.
"We spoke about committing fouls. We must be calm and
play better football instead of fouling."
Benitez admits it is crunch time as Liverpool start a
run-in that will decide whether he and the likes of Gerrard and
Fernando Torres have a future at Anfield.
The Reds boss accepts breathing life into his flagging
team's bid for a top-four place is one of his toughest
challenges.
But as Liverpool flew to France for tonight's Europa
League last-16 clash with Lille, Benitez insists they are still
capable of finishing the season on a high note.
Advertisement
He said: "This could be a crucial period for the future
of the club.The main thing for me is to concentrate on football and
get the best out of the players. I have confidence we will progress
in both competitions."
The Reds boss was tight-lipped when asked directly
whether he feared for his future - and that of his star players -
if Liverpool fail to turn things around.
He added: "When I decided to stay I decided to fight.
The best thing for the club is for me to concentrate on getting the
best from the players.
"That's something I must do for the fans and the
club."
The previously supportive Kop fans have become
dis-illusioned in recent weeks.
But Benitez said: "All clubs have a bad season. You see
clubs who haven't won anything in the last 20 years.
"The first thing to do is win the next game, then
everyone will be happier."
LIKELY LINE-UP: Reina, Johnson,
Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel,
Torres.
