Rafa Benitez: Let’s talk about the future

Nov 29 2007 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ has revealed his desire to work through the issues that have cast doubt over his Liverpool future.

And, after last night’s 4-1 victory over Porto, he also thanked the supporters, more than 2,000 of whom marched through the streets of Anfield before the Champions League group game to voice their support for the Liverpool manager.

The result leaves Liverpool in the same situation they were in before kick-off – needing to win in Marseille in a fortnight’s time to guarantee progress to the last 16 knockout stage.

So most of the post-match focus reverted back to the public dispute Benitez has been embroiled in with joint-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett in the past week, and the Spaniard’s willingness to resolve it.

Benitez said: “I don’t have a personal problem with them. We were talking about the future of the club and I was not angry, just surprised.

“I was surprised at the situation I was in because I was trying to improve my club. It was a strange situation.

“But I repeat I do not have a personal problem with either Tom Hicks or George Gillett. We now need to be talking about the future.”

Benitez admitted that the recent uncertainty has come as a result of him wanting to have a say in the direction of the club, and added: “I’ve read things about my ego but this is not about my ego, this is about my responsibility to the team, the squad and the club.

“It would be easier for me to not say anything and go for my wages. But I prefer to be involved and try to do the right things for the better of the club.”

The manager also intimated that the events leading up to the game made it one of his emotional nights in more than three years of managing at Anfield.

Benitez applauded all four sides of the ground before the game and, without being prompted, kicked off his post-match Press conference by thanking the fans for not only their usual lifting of the team but for the message of support to him personally.

He said: “It was emotional because of two things. We needed to win because everybody likes to go through in the Champions League and because of all the support.

“I knew something was going on outside the ground but I was focusing on the game. But I want to thank all the supporters because I think, as always, they were magnificent.

“The most important thing is the team so ‘thank you’ for the support of the players but I know it was for me as well so a big ‘thank you’ for that. I wanted to say it to everyone before the game but I couldn’t say it all the time through the game because I would have lost concentration. But I am really proud of all the fans.”

Liverpool took an early lead through Fernando Torres before Lisandro Lopez equalised and it remained 1-1 for three-quarters of an hour before Torres restored the lead 12 minutes from time.

Steven Gerrard’s penalty and a header form substitute Peter Crouch wrapped up the victory and ensured Liverpool go to France very much in with a chance of getting out of an often troublesome group stage. But they can even get away with a draw in Marseille.

For that to happen, Besiktas would need to win in Porto and, if Liverpool and Marseille finish on level terms, the Turks would become group winners and Liverpool would go through on goal difference.