Sunday, October 19, 2008

Rafa: We Must Make Life Easier

Rafa Benitez warned his players they must make life easier on themselves if their title charge is to remain on course after Liverpool again came from behind to win 3-2 against Wigan.

A Dirk Kuyt brace and another from Albert Riera secured a fifth comeback for the Reds this season.

It means Liverpool remain unbeaten in all competitions, but Benitez said: "I told the players at the end of the game that they had to make things easier for themselves.

"We started the game really badly. They were winning a lot of second balls and controlling the game. We started to get better but then they got the second goal.

"We needed to change a lot of things and the team showed a lot of character. We were pushing and pressing and passing the ball. In the end, thanks to this belief, we won the game."

Asked if his team could keep coming from behind, the boss joked: "I will talk with my doctor and we will see!

"No, I would like to score one, two or three goals in the first half. But the Premier League is very tough and when you show the kind of character we did today, it's important for the games ahead.

"We will see if we can show this kind of character against Chelsea next weekend, but I would like to be calmer on the bench!"

Goal hero Kuyt, whose winner against Wigan came on 85 minutes, has now found the net four times in three games.

Benitez added: "We were talking about Kuyt not scoring too many goals in the league but today, playing as a striker, he got two. The understanding between him and Robbie Keane was good.

"It is always the same. Kuyt is a player every manager would want in his squad. He showed again that he can score goals - something we know he can do."

Wigan twice took the lead through Amr Zaki, the first of which coming after a slip up from Daniel Agger.

Benitez said: "It was between Pepe Reina and Daniel. Daniel was not waiting for the pass and then he had to dribble quickly because Zaki was there. But his reaction was very positive. He kept going forward and created the first goal."

The Wigan result means Liverpool remain level top with Chelsea ahead of next week's trip to Stamford Bridge.

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