Rafa Benitez: Euro exit would not be the ‘end of world’

Nov 5 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ last night attempted to take the pressure off his team ahead of their vital Champions League clash against Besikstas by insisting an early exit from the competition would not be the “end of the world.”

A disappointing start to the group stages has left the 2005 winners looking for three straight wins to ensure progress.

The Liverpool manager has acknowledged his side have made costly mistakes in their first three Group A matches which have left them playing catch up in the race to make the last 16.

“Am I surprised that we are in this situation? No. In this competition if you make one mistake you can be in trouble,” said Benitez. “Because of our past achievements, if we go out now people would say it is the end of something.

“But if we lose it is not the end of the world, and if we do the right things against Besiktas and win then we have the confidence to go forward and win again. If we cannot win these three games and finish in the UEFA Cup, then we must accept that.

“If we qualify it will be much easier with money, but our long-term plan doesn’t depend on this competition.”