Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has vowed to restore the club's reputation in the Premier League and in Europe.
Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League this week and are seventh in the Barclays Premier League, 13 points behind leaders Chelsea.
But Rafa Benitez has made it clear that he wants to steer the club back on track, starting with Sunday's clash with Everton.
He 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.
“I had signed a new five-year contract because I wanted to fight for Liverpool.
“Sometimes it is good, sometimes there are bad moments. But still I will fight.
“So we will play in the Europa League, which will be a target. We will play against Everton on Sunday and that will be our target.
“Every single week we will fight and try to win. If we can, we will be happier. If we cannot, we will still have to fight.”
Calls for Benitez to be axed, along with suggestions he may even jump ship, provoked the Spaniard into an impassioned speech that followed a string of supportive words from key players.
Skipper Steven Gerrard has called for unity, while Fernando Torres and Jose Reina have insisted that Benitez is the right man to lead Liverpool back to the top of Europe.
Torres, who has been struggling with a groin problem, will have a fitness test tomorrow to see whether he can be involved at Goodison Park, while only Ryan Babel (ankle) is ruled out as the side’s fitness problems finally clear.
Benitez added: “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. It is long race and we know we are not playing at the level we can, but we will improve, we will be back in Europe.
“It doesn’t matter what people are saying, maybe trying to take advantage of the situation. We will win games, we will improve and things will change.”
Liverpool need to quickly address a situation that sees them seventh in the Premier League and with their top four place seriously threatened by Aston Villa, Manchester City and Spurs.
Benitez said: “If you have seen the players since the Champions League disappointment, you will know they want to fight too.
“I have seen the reaction of Torres and Pepe Reina with their words of support. Now Steven Gerrard has called for us to fight together.
“All the players know that we have to improve, we have to push harder, we have to start right now.
“I have talked to them about belief and trust. And of course I am pleased that they have come out and said I am the right man for the job.
“We are together, we are working hard together, and that is the main thing for me.”
Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League this week and are seventh in the Barclays Premier League, 13 points behind leaders Chelsea.
But Rafa Benitez has made it clear that he wants to steer the club back on track, starting with Sunday's clash with Everton.
He 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.
“I had signed a new five-year contract because I wanted to fight for Liverpool.
“Sometimes it is good, sometimes there are bad moments. But still I will fight.
“So we will play in the Europa League, which will be a target. We will play against Everton on Sunday and that will be our target.
“Every single week we will fight and try to win. If we can, we will be happier. If we cannot, we will still have to fight.”
Calls for Benitez to be axed, along with suggestions he may even jump ship, provoked the Spaniard into an impassioned speech that followed a string of supportive words from key players.
Skipper Steven Gerrard has called for unity, while Fernando Torres and Jose Reina have insisted that Benitez is the right man to lead Liverpool back to the top of Europe.
Torres, who has been struggling with a groin problem, will have a fitness test tomorrow to see whether he can be involved at Goodison Park, while only Ryan Babel (ankle) is ruled out as the side’s fitness problems finally clear.
Benitez added: “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. It is long race and we know we are not playing at the level we can, but we will improve, we will be back in Europe.
“It doesn’t matter what people are saying, maybe trying to take advantage of the situation. We will win games, we will improve and things will change.”
Liverpool need to quickly address a situation that sees them seventh in the Premier League and with their top four place seriously threatened by Aston Villa, Manchester City and Spurs.
Benitez said: “If you have seen the players since the Champions League disappointment, you will know they want to fight too.
“I have seen the reaction of Torres and Pepe Reina with their words of support. Now Steven Gerrard has called for us to fight together.
“All the players know that we have to improve, we have to push harder, we have to start right now.
“I have talked to them about belief and trust. And of course I am pleased that they have come out and said I am the right man for the job.
“We are together, we are working hard together, and that is the main thing for me.”
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