In a rare candid moment Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez conceded that the team’s recent poor form is solely down to him.
After a bright start to the season had the Anfield faithful dreaming of a serious title campaign, draws against Portsmouth, Birmingham and a home defeat to Marseille in the Champions League soon bought the fans back down to earth.
Since then criticism has been rife about Benitez’s rotation policy and tactical changes.
The Spanish tactician accepts that tactics are very much his domain and he is more than willing to accept responsibility for his side's recent demise.
"The problem is a tactical problem and it is my problem," said Benitez.
"Confidence (of the squad) is also an issue but not the physical condition of the players.
"We are running more and faster than before."
Benitez could be boosted ahead of this weekend's Merseyside derby by having Fernando Torres available for selection, despite the Spain international pulling up in midweek.
"Yesterday he was training with the ball and the physios. Hopefully today he will be better and then we have another day so we will wait and see," Benitez added.
"I need to decide if he is really fit or will be a risk. In this case maybe it is not a risk."
After a bright start to the season had the Anfield faithful dreaming of a serious title campaign, draws against Portsmouth, Birmingham and a home defeat to Marseille in the Champions League soon bought the fans back down to earth.
Since then criticism has been rife about Benitez’s rotation policy and tactical changes.
The Spanish tactician accepts that tactics are very much his domain and he is more than willing to accept responsibility for his side's recent demise.
"The problem is a tactical problem and it is my problem," said Benitez.
"Confidence (of the squad) is also an issue but not the physical condition of the players.
"We are running more and faster than before."
Benitez could be boosted ahead of this weekend's Merseyside derby by having Fernando Torres available for selection, despite the Spain international pulling up in midweek.
"Yesterday he was training with the ball and the physios. Hopefully today he will be better and then we have another day so we will wait and see," Benitez added.
"I need to decide if he is really fit or will be a risk. In this case maybe it is not a risk."
No comments:
Post a Comment