Liverpool v Everton: I can't wait for derby day says Rafa Benitez

Mar 29 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Liverpool players celebrate the derby win over Everton (200)

FOR those of a red or blue persuasion, the prospect of an impending Merseyside derby is enough to fill the average supporter with an overpowering sense of dread.

But Rafael Benitez believes the 207th running of English football’s oldest local scrap is exactly what his Liverpool side needs.

A run of seven successive victories for the Anfield outfit was brought to a shuddering halt by their controversial 3-0 defeat at North West rivals Manchester United.

While the sending-off of Javier Mascherano rankled, it was the failure of Liverpool to reproduce their encouraging form that was the greatest disappointment.

Now Benitez’s side will look to pick themselves up for the visit of Everton in a fixture that will have a huge influence on which of the Merseyside rivals claims fourth place and the final Champions League qualification berth.

Liverpool can go five points clear of their neighbours with victory tomorrow afternoon with just six games remaining.

And Benitez says: “We approached the game against United with a lot of confidence. We can’t change the result, we’re really disappointed but now the best thing for us is to play a derby because everyone will be really focused, really concentrating because it’s a fantastic game for all the players and they know.

“In the streets everyone will be talking about the derby so I think it’s better for us to play a derby.

“The team has confidence, we’re strong enough now. Everyone is thinking about this game and also the Champions League so we have a lot of confidence we just have to start winning games.

“After seven games in a row playing well we couldn’t win against United for different reasons. We can talk about 10 v 11 but nobody was talking about rotation or anything. We were playing the strongest team, players in form and we are still 14 points behind. That is the reality. We will try and improve for the future.”

Liverpool are aiming for a derby double over Everton having won 2-1 at Goodison in October thanks to two Dirk Kuyt penalties, the last of which was scored in the final minute.

There was still enough time remaining for referee Mark Clattenberg to wave away appeals for a home penalty after Jamie Carragher tangled with Joleon Lescott in the area.

But of Everton’s continued complaints over the referee, Benitez says: “I don’t agree with them.

“If you analyse the whole game, you can talk about every decision for a long time so you’re talking about one decision at the end of the game and maybe people are thinking that because it was at the end of the game.

“But I don’t agree that we had an advantage. We felt the opposite (to Everton).”

Mascherano’s red card at Old Trafford means Lucas is almost certain to step back in to central midfield alongside Xabi Alonso tomorrow.

The Argentine was in excellent form during Liverpool’s winning run, and Benitez says: “It is clear that Javier is a player who was working hard and playing well. He was giving to us balance.

“Normally when a player is playing at this level you will miss him, but I have a lot of confidence in Lucas, or Crouch or Voronin if we want to change the system. I don’t think it will be a problem but we will lose something.

“Lucas can come in for Mascherano. He played well against Inter Milan, so why can he not play well against Everton? He can do the job.”

Lucas was impressive as a substitute at Goodison earlier this season and won the decisive penalty having surprisingly replaced Steven Gerrard midway through the second half.

Benitez explained at the time that his skipper was playing with “too much passion”, and the Spaniard is hopeful there will be no call for a repeat.

“When you change a local player in a derby, it’s more difficult for them and I’ve tried to explain that when you have a player with quality, it’s really important that he uses his quality,” he says.

“Gerrard has quality and passion and if he can manage both, it will be much better for him and for the team.”

Having recovered from the effects of close attention from the Manchester United defence and Italy’s Marco Materazzi during the past week, Fernando Torres is available to make his derby debut tomorrow.

And despite being a veteran of many Madrid match-ups while at Atletico, Torres has been warned the Merseyside clash is a unique experience.

“We have local players with passion and they can give the passion to the other players,” says Benitez. “Normally a foreign player, the new players, they will feel something during the game but they will try to approach the game like other games.”

The last time both Liverpool and Everton were jostling for fourth place, Everton emerged triumphant but Liverpool also earned a Champions League berth by winning the European Cup in Istanbul.

A rule change directly because of that means a repeat would see Everton drop into the UEFA Cup.

But despite Liverpool reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League – their first leg at Arsenal takes place on Wednesday – Benitez wants his team to retain their place among Europe’s elite via a top-four finish rather than having to win another European Cup.

“Finishing fourth is always important for every club,” he says. “We know what Champions League means in terms of money and also for the name of the club. It is really important.

“If we win the Champions League then we have qualified again. If someone offered me that I would take it, but it is important to be sure you will be in the top four. In the Champions League you never know what can happen.”

Everton manager David Moyes has attempted to crank up the mind games in the build-up to tomorrow’s game by suggesting the pressure is all on Liverpool to finish fourth.

But Benitez has dismissed such talk, and says: “It’s normal before a game like this that some managers prefer to say these things. We all want to win. I like the big games, especially if you win.

“In terms of points, Everton are getting closer. They’re are doing a good job and a good season. I’d prefer to be top of the table!

“Do I think this is my last derby? I don’t think so, I have two more years of contract. I would like to play a lot of derbies.”