We’re united on the pitch, says Rafa Benitez

Jan 19 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ believes Liverpool’s off-field distractions have helped bring the team even closer together on the pitch.

The Anfield outfit have been rocked this week by a series of events that have threatened the long-term stability of the club.

It began with the confirmation from Tom Hicks that Jurgen Klinsmann was approached in November with a view to taking over as manager.

The public admission is thought to have upset co-owner George Gillett and chief executive Rick Parry, and prompted talk of a bid to buy Hicks’s 50% share by the Dubai International Capital.

With boardroom matters dominating the headlines, Liverpool’s players secured their first win in five games with a 5-0 thumping of Luton Town in their FA Cup third round replay on Tuesday.

“It may have brought everyone closer together, for sure,” said the Anfield manager. “There was unity on Tuesday, the team showed they were working together in the cup win.

“When you play well and score five goals after some draws, it shows the team spirit is much better and the confidence of the players can be higher.

“That’s one of the keys if you want to win trophies, you need a good team spirit. It’s easier when you are winning, so we need to win some games in a row and everything will be much better.

“I think there is a greater determination among the players now, and they showed character the other day. We played well, but it wasn’t just about winning, it was about scoring goals and playing good football.”

Asked if the players discussed the present off-field rumours, Benitez added: “Yes, the other situation comes up briefly, but not too much.

“But usually I am in my office preparing the training, and maybe five minutes before I’ll go and speak to the injured players and then go out on to the pitch and talk about what to do in the next game.”

Benitez’s side host Villa on Monday, and the Spaniard reckons a run of victories would go a long way towards quelling continued speculation over his own future.

“I know the best answer as a manager (to the rumours) is to win games, now, always and forever,” he said.

“If we can keep the team winning, it will be easier. We will try to do that. I think it will be easier if we do that, because people will talk about a Gerrard hat-trick or Carra playing 501 games.”

After Tuesday’s game, both Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard stated the victory was important to the club and not necessarily the manager.

And Benitez agreed: “At Liverpool, the most important thing is the club. I like to see my players winning games because it is for the supporters and for the club.

“The main thing is that when you go up to the stadium and hear the supporters, you must always give 100%.

“The players and myself have a fantastic relationship. I didn’t go the Christmas party, but the relationship is good!

“We have spoken before about how important it is to do the right things for the club, and that’s the right thing. We need to do our best for the club.

“The team needs to talk on the pitch. And it is important for me to do the best for my club also.”

Despite admitting the talks with Klinsmann, Hicks went on to insist that communication between the club’s American owners and Benitez had greatly improved, with a telephonic conference held every Monday afternoon.

And Benitez added: “Communication is much better now, it is true. After December 16 we have had meetings on a Monday and the communication is good, it is better.

“Communication is much better now. Before it was not bad, but with the meetings we are having now it is much better.”

Meanwhile, fans’ group Reclaim The Kop are planning a demonstration against Liverpool’s American owners at Monday night’s game against Aston Villa at Anfield.