Rafa Benitez: We can’t afford defeat in Champions League

Oct 24 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ admits Liverpool “cannot afford to lose” as they aim to rekindle their Champions League aspirations in Turkey this evening.

The Anfield outfit return to Istanbul, scene of their memorable European Cup triumph in 2005, to take on Besiktas in a defining Group A encounter.

Benitez’s men are languishing in third place in the standings, five points adrift of leaders Marseille after they followed their opening 1-1 draw at Porto with a shock 1-0 home defeat to the French side earlier this month.

Besiktas, considered the weakest team in the group, have fared even worse and are yet to score a point having lost at Marseille and at home to Porto.

And Benitez concedes his players are aware anything other than a Liverpool triumph against the Turks this evening would severely compromise hopes of qualification to the knockout stage with three group games still to go.

“This game is really important,” said the Anfield manager. “We cannot afford to lose. If we do, it will be really, really difficult to qualify. We need to win. A draw? Then a lot would depend on the other results in our group.

“It’s a difficult game. We need to go to Istanbul and try to win. It’s clear we need three points but the players are experienced. They don't need me to tell them how important this game is.

“The players know how important it is. We need to play really well. We need to do a great job to get into a good position in the group, that’s clear.

“I have very good memories of Istanbul, but in terms of the game we know that Besiktas are a good team, with good players and good supporters. It will be a tough game.”

Liverpool will again be without Fernando Torres as the Spanish striker continues to recover from the adductor problem suffered while on international duty.

But Benitez added: “We spoke to the doctors and Torres wasn’t ready, but maybe he could be fit for the weekend against Arsenal.”

Better news came from Xabi Alonso, who has recovered from his broken metatarsal and travelled as part of an 18-man party, although is likely to begin on the bench.

With Fabio Aurelio, Daniel Agger and Alvaro Arbeloa all injured, young centre-back Jack Hobbs was added to a squad in which Jermaine Pennant returned after serving a one-match ban for his red card in Porto.

Benitez may consider recalling Peter Crouch, Liverpool’s top scorer in the Champions League last season, to the starting line-up alongside derby hero Dirk Kuyt in attack.

While Besiktas, who came through two qualifying rounds to reach the group stages, have never beaten an English side at their intimate Inonu Stadium, Liverpool have yet to taste victory against Turkish opposition on their home soil after three attempts, the most recent a 3-2 loss to Galatasaray in December.

But the Anfield outfit go into the game buoyed by their controversial derby success over Everton at the weekend, a result which John Arne Riise believes may prove pivotal to Liverpool’s campaign.

“The derby could be a turning point of the season,” said Riise. “We had a few dips where we didn’t get the points we needed but I think the way we played against Everton and the way the game ended, we can take positives form that and take it into the Besiktas game.

“We know our position in the group and we have to put some points on the board. We know there are only four games left and we aren’t in the best position at the moment. We have to start doing things, starting with Besiktas.

“We are positive we can do it, we’ve turned things around before. We are in positive shape and feel if we play our football we can get three points.

“We haven’t played our best in the group, against Marseille we didn’t get anything going. We know Besiktas are a good team and it will be a tough game.”

TONIGHT’S officials are from Denmark, with Claus Bo Larsen the referee.