Rafa Benitez has urged his hurting squad to show strength in adversity and turn their season around in the “perfect game”.
Liverpool are currently embroiled in their worst run of form for 22 years but Benitez has remained in a bullish mood ahead of tomorrow’s Anfield test against Manchester United.
There is no disputing that four consecutive defeats have left a mark on both him and his players but there is also a sense of anger in the dressing room at Melwood.
Many of the squad are disappointed with the form they have shown since the start of the season and Benitez senses the time has come for them to put it right.
A number of meetings have been held at the Reds’ training base in the last couple of days and the manager is hoping for a result that will put all talk of an Anfield crisis on hold.
“In 25 years (as a coach) you have good moments and bad moments; this is a bad moment but still I have confidence in the squad,” said Benitez.
“It is a question of starting to win again and then everything will change.
"We have had some discussions on how to improve things and the conclusion is very simple. We just keep going on to the pitch, giving the players positive advice and say ‘Come on, we can do this! We have done it before in the past!’
“We have some players who know the only way to improve is by doing it themselves. If we put them all together, the team will play better. They are desperate to improve.
“I have been really impressed with the attitude of some of the important players and they are really quite positive. We now need good players on the pitch and good characters.”
Should Liverpool lower United’s colours for the third game in succession, the gap between the sides would be cut to just four points.
However, the contrasting form of each team could not be more different, as United have not been beaten since August 19 and are top of the table.
Yet that serves only to give Liverpool more motivation to record their first victory since September 26 and Benitez expects Anfield to be bouncing ahead of kick-off.
“To play against a good team like United could be dangerous but I think it could be the perfect game for us,” said Benitez. “The motivation will be there. The players know how important it is. We are playing United; our fans will be pushing from the beginning. It will make a massive difference if we can beat United. The mood will change. We have got to send the right messages from the first whistle.”
Benitez will not make any decision on his starting line-up until the last moment, as he will give Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson every chance to prove their fitness. Benitez confirmed: “It will be a late decision with Fernando, Stevie and Glen. They will continue to work with the physios.”
Liverpool are currently embroiled in their worst run of form for 22 years but Benitez has remained in a bullish mood ahead of tomorrow’s Anfield test against Manchester United.
There is no disputing that four consecutive defeats have left a mark on both him and his players but there is also a sense of anger in the dressing room at Melwood.
Many of the squad are disappointed with the form they have shown since the start of the season and Benitez senses the time has come for them to put it right.
A number of meetings have been held at the Reds’ training base in the last couple of days and the manager is hoping for a result that will put all talk of an Anfield crisis on hold.
“In 25 years (as a coach) you have good moments and bad moments; this is a bad moment but still I have confidence in the squad,” said Benitez.
“It is a question of starting to win again and then everything will change.
"We have had some discussions on how to improve things and the conclusion is very simple. We just keep going on to the pitch, giving the players positive advice and say ‘Come on, we can do this! We have done it before in the past!’
“We have some players who know the only way to improve is by doing it themselves. If we put them all together, the team will play better. They are desperate to improve.
“I have been really impressed with the attitude of some of the important players and they are really quite positive. We now need good players on the pitch and good characters.”
Should Liverpool lower United’s colours for the third game in succession, the gap between the sides would be cut to just four points.
However, the contrasting form of each team could not be more different, as United have not been beaten since August 19 and are top of the table.
Yet that serves only to give Liverpool more motivation to record their first victory since September 26 and Benitez expects Anfield to be bouncing ahead of kick-off.
“To play against a good team like United could be dangerous but I think it could be the perfect game for us,” said Benitez. “The motivation will be there. The players know how important it is. We are playing United; our fans will be pushing from the beginning. It will make a massive difference if we can beat United. The mood will change. We have got to send the right messages from the first whistle.”
Benitez will not make any decision on his starting line-up until the last moment, as he will give Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson every chance to prove their fitness. Benitez confirmed: “It will be a late decision with Fernando, Stevie and Glen. They will continue to work with the physios.”
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