Rafael Benitez urges: Forget United and win again

Sep 16 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ has ordered his Liverpool players to bury the memory of their momentous win over Manchester United by delivering another in France this evening.

The Anfield outfit begin their Champions League campaign at Marseille in buoyant mood having banished the recent Premier League jinx against their bitter North West rivals.

Benitez moved to ensure feet remained on the ground in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s performance.

And the Spaniard has now told his players to forget their win over United and send a fresh message out to their European rivals at the Stade Velodrome tonight.

“It’s clear we can’t think about what has happened in the past,” said Benitez. “It’s important to know it’s another competition and we have to win to make sure we have the same progress as last season. I’ve told the players that. We will keep telling them how important it is not to think about the past games and to concentrate on the future.

“But it’s more important for our confidence than any message to other teams. We wanted to win, and it was amazing for our fans, so it was a big boost for us.

“We won against United, I’m really pleased, we have a lot of confidence, but we know Marseille are a difficult team to play against and the fans here are always behind their team.”

Liverpool open their Group D campaign at the same venue they scored a 4-0 win last December to earn qualification to the knockout stages.

Benitez, though, believes his players will be in for a much tougher time this evening against Erik Gerets’ side, who are unbeaten so far this season.

“We know it’s a new season and a new team,” said the Anfield manager.

“The situation is different. We needed to win last time and for them a draw was maybe enough. We scored an early goal last time, and I think everything could be different this year.

“People have told me that Marseille are a worse team than last year, but I don’t think so. They are stronger in terms of mentality, are well organised and can change systems.

“Marseille’s offensive players are really good. Maybe they have some weaknesses in defence, but the strikers have been really good.

“We know it will be tough. We know we played well the other day but the Champions League is different.”

Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, who both scored in Marseille last December, trained last night and are in line to return to the starting line-up with Benitez – who is toying over employing a 3-5-2 formation – prepared to rotate his resources.

“Maybe some players can recover quickly after the United game in two days but others need three or four days so we need to check on each one,” said the Spaniard. “But at least we have the quality in the squad.

“Torres and Gerrard could play. If they were on the bench against United that meant they could play but the problem is, while we have two or three days to recover, we don’t have time to train.

“They can improve but physically they won’t be at the level you want.”

Fabio Aurelio didn’t travel after suffering a slight calf strain on Saturday, with Andrea Dossena set to deputise.

Javier Mascherano is expected to be play despite being forced off in the closing moments against United, while Lucas Leiva has returned from international duty and Philipp Degen has been deemed fit enough for a place in the squad.

Tonight’s officials are from Austria, with Konrad Plautz the referee.