Rafael Benitez has attempted to put into perspective the intensifying competition at the top of the Premier League - and the pressures on him and his team to deliver the title.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is aware that expectations are building again for the Reds to mount a sustained challenge to win the title that has eluded them since 1990.
The Reds have followed another summer of big spending by getting off to a winning - if not as yet wholly convincing - start to the campaign in both Premier League and Champions League.
But Benitez acknowledges that Liverpool’s rivals are all upping the ante too, making the competitive challenge stronger than ever.
He has said that Liverpool now have the strongest squad since he took over at Anfield in 2004, but is cautious in his assessment of prospects, telling journalists:
“We know we’re better than before, but maybe the other teams are better also. Look at [Manchester] City, for example.
“Sometimes you need to take gambles,” he added. “If we’re making mistakes it’s because we were taking gambles with players who were cheap while we tried to find the balance.”
Benitez says he will not be bowed by the pressure of trying to take the title back to Anfield, in a campaign which will see Manchester United attempt to equal Liverpool’s record haul of 18 English championships.
“As always, it also depends on the other teams,” he said.
“When you are at a top side, you need to be ready to challenge for titles or to be under pressure.
“I don’t have any problem with the pressure, but if people analyse the situation properly, it’s changed a lot because other teams are signing big players.
“People need to understand that to win trophies is really difficult. More and more teams are spending more and more money.
“We will try to be closer and have a lot of confidence because the squad is better, but you can’t guarantee anything. We must make sure we do our best every time.
“We want to win trophies, and to win the Premier League would be amazing. But it’s not easy.
“If the owners of the clubs keep on spending big, big money, then they will want more and more success.
“But how many teams can win the title? Just one.”
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is aware that expectations are building again for the Reds to mount a sustained challenge to win the title that has eluded them since 1990.
The Reds have followed another summer of big spending by getting off to a winning - if not as yet wholly convincing - start to the campaign in both Premier League and Champions League.
But Benitez acknowledges that Liverpool’s rivals are all upping the ante too, making the competitive challenge stronger than ever.
He has said that Liverpool now have the strongest squad since he took over at Anfield in 2004, but is cautious in his assessment of prospects, telling journalists:
“We know we’re better than before, but maybe the other teams are better also. Look at [Manchester] City, for example.
“Sometimes you need to take gambles,” he added. “If we’re making mistakes it’s because we were taking gambles with players who were cheap while we tried to find the balance.”
Benitez says he will not be bowed by the pressure of trying to take the title back to Anfield, in a campaign which will see Manchester United attempt to equal Liverpool’s record haul of 18 English championships.
“As always, it also depends on the other teams,” he said.
“When you are at a top side, you need to be ready to challenge for titles or to be under pressure.
“I don’t have any problem with the pressure, but if people analyse the situation properly, it’s changed a lot because other teams are signing big players.
“People need to understand that to win trophies is really difficult. More and more teams are spending more and more money.
“We will try to be closer and have a lot of confidence because the squad is better, but you can’t guarantee anything. We must make sure we do our best every time.
“We want to win trophies, and to win the Premier League would be amazing. But it’s not easy.
“If the owners of the clubs keep on spending big, big money, then they will want more and more success.
“But how many teams can win the title? Just one.”
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