Sunday, November 29, 2009

Benitez Empathises With Res Fans


Rafael Benitez insists he understands the distress of Liverpool's fans at the club's current plight, while re-affirming his commitment to the club.

The Anfield manager faces a Merseyside derby at Everton on Sunday with the club's Champions League campaign over and their place in the Premier League top four under threat.

Benitez may have Fernando Torres fit for the Goodison Park showdown, with his top scorer facing a fitness test after training on Saturday.

With or without the £20million striker, Benitez knows Liverpool must change their fortunes quickly with Tottenham, Aston Villa and Manchester City threatening their place in the top four.

He said: "You cannot be a fan and be happy when your team is not winning. There are reasons why, but I will not be making any excuses, we will improve.

"Everyone at this club is disappointed we are not winning. The only way to change things is to work hard.

"I had some contact with the (American) owners last week, and they were reassuring. This week we have not needed to speak, only that Christian Purslow (managing director) supportive and we speak every day."

And Benitez has made it clear he has no intention of leaving, despite big offers.

The Spaniard: "This situation for me is not new. After winning the league in Spain, then the UEFA Cup and then here winning the Champions League and the FA Cup, it meant I have had a lot of offers.

"Last season the offer was for massive money, but I signed for Liverpool and I have not had any regrets.

"I had given my word to the staff and the players. I love this city and I love the club and the fans.

"When I signed my new contract I had offers from other clubs for more money and a lot more money to spend in the transfer market. But I decided to stay because I felt we had a very good team.

"We will prove this during the rest of the season. We know we are not playing at the level we can but we will improve, we will be back in Europe."

Benitez signed a new five-year deal last season, and said: "When I decided to stay here, I knew that we could be facing a difficult season. I was aware that a lot of things could happen and the competition stronger. But I decided to stay because I wanted to.

"Look, I was a Real Madrid fan. I knew off by heart the names of the Real Madrid team that played Liverpool in the European Cup final of 1981.

"I was a fan, and also a Madrid player at that time. Now, considering that, I decided to stay in Liverpool because I liked the city, I liked the fans, I liked the life here and the passion in the Premier League.

"Why am I telling you this? Because when I decided to stay here, I wanted to fight for this club.

"We now need to win at Everton to get closer to the top four. if we win two or three more games we will be back amongst the clubs at the top of the table."

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