Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has intimated that they would have secured the Premier League title by now had Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres not been stricken with injuries throughout the season.
The Reds have not been ruled out of the race for the title just yet, but Manchester United need just one point from their two remaining fixtures to retain the championship for a third successive year following a 2-1 victory over Wigan Athletic on Wednesday which puts them six points in the lead.
The Merseyside based outfit have lost only twice throughout the 2008/09 campaign, while the Red Devils have suffered defeat on four occasions.
Benitez has suggested that had has star men been fit and available to play together on more occasions, Liverpool might have converted some of their 11 draws into victories, and subsequently clinched the title.
"You cannot imagine if Gerrard and Torres had been fit all season where we would be now so it has been a good season but you know it could be better," the Spaniard told the club's official website.
Only Chelsea and Manchester United have conceded less goals than Liverpool this season, but Benitez feels it is unfair to label them a defensive team especially as they are the Premier League's top scorers.
"I don't think people realise how important it is to keep the balance," Benitez remarked.
"Because we are organised some people say we are not an attacking team. It's so clear we are an attacking team and a very good attacking team.
"I think it's always important to score goals, but to score 119 last year and now more than 100, I think it's very good. It's not just the strikers as we have a lot of players who have scored for us.
"That is very good and it means the team has a very good offensive mentality and we still keep the balance and defend well. That is important for winning."
Finally, the 49-year-old cited Manchester United's strength in depth in terms of squad numbers as the determining factor in the race for the Premier League title.
"It's strange but it also means United are a strong team and have a good team," Benitez stated, referring to the fact that Liverpool have lost less games and have a superior goal difference.
"They have a good squad which is important because when you are talking about the league you are talking about nine months."
The Reds have not been ruled out of the race for the title just yet, but Manchester United need just one point from their two remaining fixtures to retain the championship for a third successive year following a 2-1 victory over Wigan Athletic on Wednesday which puts them six points in the lead.
The Merseyside based outfit have lost only twice throughout the 2008/09 campaign, while the Red Devils have suffered defeat on four occasions.
Benitez has suggested that had has star men been fit and available to play together on more occasions, Liverpool might have converted some of their 11 draws into victories, and subsequently clinched the title.
"You cannot imagine if Gerrard and Torres had been fit all season where we would be now so it has been a good season but you know it could be better," the Spaniard told the club's official website.
Only Chelsea and Manchester United have conceded less goals than Liverpool this season, but Benitez feels it is unfair to label them a defensive team especially as they are the Premier League's top scorers.
"I don't think people realise how important it is to keep the balance," Benitez remarked.
"Because we are organised some people say we are not an attacking team. It's so clear we are an attacking team and a very good attacking team.
"I think it's always important to score goals, but to score 119 last year and now more than 100, I think it's very good. It's not just the strikers as we have a lot of players who have scored for us.
"That is very good and it means the team has a very good offensive mentality and we still keep the balance and defend well. That is important for winning."
Finally, the 49-year-old cited Manchester United's strength in depth in terms of squad numbers as the determining factor in the race for the Premier League title.
"It's strange but it also means United are a strong team and have a good team," Benitez stated, referring to the fact that Liverpool have lost less games and have a superior goal difference.
"They have a good squad which is important because when you are talking about the league you are talking about nine months."
No comments:
Post a Comment