Benitez bemoans missed chances

May 24 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ concedes Liverpool were responsible for their own downfall against AC Milan last night.

And the Spaniard admits his team must now take “two steps forward” if they are to compete for honours both at home and abroad next season.

Liverpool’s quest for a sixth European Cup crown will go on for another year after they were beaten 2-1 by Milan in the Olympic Stadium in Athens.

Two goals from Filippo Inzaghi rendered Dirk Kuyt’s late strike mere consolation and helped the Italians gain revenge for their defeat in Istanbul two years ago.

And Benitez blamed a number of missed chances when Liverpool were in the ascendancy for their defeat.

“I don’t think what happened two years ago was a handicap for us,” said the Liverpool manager. “We were doing a good job, controlling and attacking, but if you concede against a good team it’s difficult.

“We had chances in the first half and were controlling almost everything. They only had a few crosses, we were really in control. But in football you need to take your chances and score goals and that was the difference.”

With Liverpool’s American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks having promised to bankroll a summer spending spree, Benitez is now expected to break up his squad in the close season.

And he believes changes are necessary if Liverpool are to challenge the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea in the Premiership and have a chance of reaching another Champions League final in the near future.

“My first idea is to support my players and they worked really hard tonight,” said Benitez. “But afterwards, we need to think about the future, we know we need to improve and we will try to. If we can improve then maybe we can, we need to move forward and maybe more than one step at a time.