XABI ALONSO has warned that Liverpool must stop relying on late goals to secure victories, ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish midfielder returns to his homeland knowing a win will all but guarantee Liverpool’s progress to the knockout stages, which will be confirmed if Marseille and PSV Eindhoven draw in Holland.
That scenario would be in stark contrast to last season when Liverpool had to win their final two group games against Porto and Marseille to qualify for the last 16.
Ensuring that such distractions are out of the equation this time will also help Benitez’s side concentrate on maintaining their unbeaten start to the Premier League season, which faces its toughest test yet with Sunday’s visit to joint leaders Chelsea.
But Alonso has acknowledged the need for them to start games in a more convincing fashion.
They escaped once again on Saturday when they overturned a 2-1 deficit at home to Wigan in the final 10 minutes for a 3-2 victory – their second in succession after the fightback from 2-0 down at Manchester City a fortnight earlier.
But despite being unbeaten in all competitions, Liverpool have only led twice at half-time this season – although both occasions were the previous two Champions League group games.
Alonso admitted: “We’re not controlling games from the start at the moment and that is why we are suffering more than we should be doing.
“Of course the most important thing is winning but we know we have to improve in certain areas if we want to stop having problems.
“We were much better in the second half (against Wigan), we had more possession and created more chances.
“But we have to be critical of ourselves and look to improve. We need to be getting in front in matches because we’re not always going to have the luck to come from behind.”
Benitez has more pondering to do over his team selections, with the trip to Stamford Bridge on the horizon. He is confident of a few niggling injuries clearing up in time for the Atletico game while Javier Mascherano returns to the squad after shaking off the rigours of last week’s international duty.
Ryan Babel is also pressing for a place in the line-up after missing the Wigan win with an ankle injury sustained playing for Holland last week.
Benitez said: “We can field a team good enough to beat Atletico, then we must think about how we play at Chelsea.
“But I am confident in my players that they can produce the right performances.
“We have a few minor injury problems to (Yossi) Benayoun, (Steven) Gerrard and (Robbie) Keane, but I do not expect them to be serious, they should all play on Wednesday.”
Fernando Torres remains sidelined by his hamstring injury but there is still an outside chance he could be available Chelsea game.
And in his efforts to speed up his recovery, the Spaniard will spurn the chance to go back to his old club tomorrow despite the Atletico president reserving him a VIP seat.
Torres will instead remain at Melwood and Benitez said: “We talked with the doctor and physios, and with the player himself, and we decided it was important for him to stay here and continue with his recovery.”
