Rafael Benitez is convinced his Liverpool team are in a “fantastic position” despite admitting there was still much room for improvement from his players.
The Anfield outfit moved a point clear at the top of the Premier League with a goalless draw at home to West Ham United on Monday night. Liverpool were disappointed not to have taken more from the game and the final whistle was greeted with jeers from sections of the ground.
This time last year, Benitez’s side were in fourth place in the table behind leaders Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.
And while accepting his players can do better than their recent form suggests, the Anfield manager reckons there is no reason for supporters to be downhearted.
“After watching the video it is clear we had more chances than them, everybody was disappointed – we could have won,” said Benitez. “But we have one more point and are at the top of the table, so things are still really positive.
“We were talking at the start of the season about being contenders in December, and this time last season we were nine points behind Arsenal, but now we are one point clear of Chelsea, so we are in a fantastic position and really pleased to be here.
“It’s really important to know we are in a good position – some games we are playing really well, some games not so well, there is still plenty of room for improvement because everybody knows Fabio Aurelio and Fernando Torres are both injured. We also have Skrtel and Degen to come back, so we have enough depth in the squad to improve for our next games.”
Meanwhile, Pepe Reina reckons Xabi Alonso’s impressive start to the season has made him “one of the world’s most complete midfielders”.
With Liverpool chasing Gareth Barry over the summer, Alonso came close to joining Juventus and was also linked with a possible move to Arsenal.
But the Spaniard stayed put at Anfield and has become an integral part of Benitez’s table-toppers.
And Reina said: “He has been amazing for these past four months. The character he has shown has been really good.
“He is a quiet person and a lovely guy; a good teammate. I don’t need to talk about him as a player – people know how good he is.
“He has got everything – class, great passing, good in the air. He is one of the most complete midfielders in the world.”
Reina has helped Liverpool keep 14 clean sheets this season, and has conceded only 11 goals in 22 appearances.
“We’ve been very strong at the back up until now and everyone knows that’s one of the reasons why we do well,” said the 26-year-old. “If you keep a clean sheet you have many possibilities for victory.
“But there is always room for improvement and that’s what we try to do in every training session.”
The Anfield outfit moved a point clear at the top of the Premier League with a goalless draw at home to West Ham United on Monday night. Liverpool were disappointed not to have taken more from the game and the final whistle was greeted with jeers from sections of the ground.
This time last year, Benitez’s side were in fourth place in the table behind leaders Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.
And while accepting his players can do better than their recent form suggests, the Anfield manager reckons there is no reason for supporters to be downhearted.
“After watching the video it is clear we had more chances than them, everybody was disappointed – we could have won,” said Benitez. “But we have one more point and are at the top of the table, so things are still really positive.
“We were talking at the start of the season about being contenders in December, and this time last season we were nine points behind Arsenal, but now we are one point clear of Chelsea, so we are in a fantastic position and really pleased to be here.
“It’s really important to know we are in a good position – some games we are playing really well, some games not so well, there is still plenty of room for improvement because everybody knows Fabio Aurelio and Fernando Torres are both injured. We also have Skrtel and Degen to come back, so we have enough depth in the squad to improve for our next games.”
Meanwhile, Pepe Reina reckons Xabi Alonso’s impressive start to the season has made him “one of the world’s most complete midfielders”.
With Liverpool chasing Gareth Barry over the summer, Alonso came close to joining Juventus and was also linked with a possible move to Arsenal.
But the Spaniard stayed put at Anfield and has become an integral part of Benitez’s table-toppers.
And Reina said: “He has been amazing for these past four months. The character he has shown has been really good.
“He is a quiet person and a lovely guy; a good teammate. I don’t need to talk about him as a player – people know how good he is.
“He has got everything – class, great passing, good in the air. He is one of the most complete midfielders in the world.”
Reina has helped Liverpool keep 14 clean sheets this season, and has conceded only 11 goals in 22 appearances.
“We’ve been very strong at the back up until now and everyone knows that’s one of the reasons why we do well,” said the 26-year-old. “If you keep a clean sheet you have many possibilities for victory.
“But there is always room for improvement and that’s what we try to do in every training session.”
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