Rafael Benitez has promised Liverpool’s Champions League form will be “much, much better” when they bid to reach the group stages for the fifth successive time tomorrow night.
The Liverpool boss is acutely aware that his side’s qualifying round first leg display at Standard Liege was unacceptable and they were fortunate to cling onto a 0-0 draw.
That display in Belgium has put at risk the crucial flow of Uefa prize money Liverpool need, more than ever, to maintain their position amongst English football’s top four.
Now Benitez’ side must produce their best display of the season so far to make sure that they reach the group stages.
Benitez said: “Our display this time will be much, much better. Of that I am confident.”
Anything less could create the biggest financial crisis in the club’s recent history.
The American owners are facing huge costs to build a new stadium, and also to re-finance loans. They have already transferred some of their debt to the club, which means that £30m a year has to be found to meet interest repayments.
In four years, Liverpool have claimed over £100m in prize money from Uefa, averaging more than £20m a season having reached two finals, a semi-final and the last 16 in that time.
Failure to even reach the group stages would cost an immediate £12m and put in question Benitez’s plans.
Liege have never reached the Champions League group stage and Benitez knows Liverpool must win tomorrow’s second leg.
He said: “Our performance in Liege was poor, but the result was good. We did not concede an away goal and we hope that playing the second leg at Anfield will make a massive difference.
“The entire team did not play well. They (Liege) were organised, pressed well and were very aggressive.”
Fernando Torres will make his 50th appearance for the Reds tomorrow, having scored 34 goals. Only George Allan, 111 years ago with 41, scored more in his first 50 games for the club.
The Liverpool boss is acutely aware that his side’s qualifying round first leg display at Standard Liege was unacceptable and they were fortunate to cling onto a 0-0 draw.
That display in Belgium has put at risk the crucial flow of Uefa prize money Liverpool need, more than ever, to maintain their position amongst English football’s top four.
Now Benitez’ side must produce their best display of the season so far to make sure that they reach the group stages.
Benitez said: “Our display this time will be much, much better. Of that I am confident.”
Anything less could create the biggest financial crisis in the club’s recent history.
The American owners are facing huge costs to build a new stadium, and also to re-finance loans. They have already transferred some of their debt to the club, which means that £30m a year has to be found to meet interest repayments.
In four years, Liverpool have claimed over £100m in prize money from Uefa, averaging more than £20m a season having reached two finals, a semi-final and the last 16 in that time.
Failure to even reach the group stages would cost an immediate £12m and put in question Benitez’s plans.
Liege have never reached the Champions League group stage and Benitez knows Liverpool must win tomorrow’s second leg.
He said: “Our performance in Liege was poor, but the result was good. We did not concede an away goal and we hope that playing the second leg at Anfield will make a massive difference.
“The entire team did not play well. They (Liege) were organised, pressed well and were very aggressive.”
Fernando Torres will make his 50th appearance for the Reds tomorrow, having scored 34 goals. Only George Allan, 111 years ago with 41, scored more in his first 50 games for the club.
No comments:
Post a Comment