Monday, September 14, 2009

Benitez Learns Lessons


Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez admits his side used the disappointing experiences of last season as guidance in Saturday's 4-0 victory over Burnley.

Yossi Benayoun hit a hat-trick, with a Dirk Kuyt goal sandwiched in between, to wrap up a comfortable win against the newly-promoted Clarets on their first league visit to Anfield in 33 years.

The win marked progress for Liverpool after last season's Premier League title challenge was derailed by home draws against the likes of Stoke, Hull City, Fulham and West Ham.

Benitez acknowledges that work has taken place to devise strategies to help his side, who hammered Stoke on Merseyside in August in an earlier example of development, break down stubborn visitors.

The Spaniard told Sky Sports: "Clearly we have used experiences from the past years. We try to play our football.

"In the first half they (Burnley) were not bad and they were doing well. But as soon as we scored the first goal, and especially the second goal, they needed to go forward.

"There was some more space for us and clearly with quality we can always be a threat."

Burnley could not cope with the intricacy of movement from Liverpool, who appear to be rediscovering momentum following earlier defeats to Tottenham and Aston Villa.

Israel captain Benayoun and Kuyt were particularly troublesome to last season's Championship play-off winners, with the intelligence of the duo's inter-changing runs from opposite flanks proving unstoppable.

Benitez is delighted with the way the pair worked together and believes former West Ham player Benayoun is now showing the characteristics of a first-team regular after beginning his Liverpool career on the fringes in past seasons.

"The understanding of both of them is really good," he said. "One of the strengths of Yossi is to go between the lines and do the right things and the right movement."

Benitez added: "Yossi had been away on international duty in midweek and done a lot of travelling, but he wanted to play. It is important to him to show his quality in every training session and every match.

"Over the seasons he has shown his value coming off the bench, but now he is showing how important he can be with movement and passing ability from the start."

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