Liverpool FC manager Rafa Benitez had mixed feelings about his team’s performance in the 2-0 victory over Bolton at Anfield but saw plenty of positives.
Dirk Kuyt’s close-range effort in the first half put Liverpool FC ahead, and an unlucky own goal from Kevin Davies - he deflected Emiliano Insua’s wild shot into the net - saw off a visiting side who had their best chances in the first half but struggled once they fell behind.
"I am pleased with the result and the second half but not too happy with the first half - but at the end of the day we needed to win and we won," said Benitez.
"We are unbeaten in six games and have another clean sheet so that is good.
"In the first half they had two chances and we were a little bit lucky but in the second half it was totally different and we could have scored more goals.
"I think we are improving. Clearly you can see the team is working hard."
In the week when Benitez was strongly linked with Juventus, Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks was in the directors’ box to watch, and after the match a group of a hundred or so fans staged a demonstration outside the ground.
Benitez was asked if he had a meeting scheduled with the American.
"I was on the pitch concentrating. I knew he could come so if he is around I will see him, no problem," said the Spaniard.
Benitez also confirmed forward Ryan Babel, subject of at least one bid from Birmingham City, would be staying at the club.
This time last year the Liverpool FC boss said he did not want to sell Robbie Keane just days before off-loading him back to Tottenham but Babel’s situation is different.
"It is not easy to find better players than you have at this moment but we are watching players and trying to find someone who can be good for the team," said Benitez regarding his continuing search to bring in one more signing before the window closes.
"Last year we knew Tottenham were interested so we had to play a game.
"This year we are not playing any games. He will stay."
Bolton boss Owen Coyle believed his side should have done better with the early chances they had.
He felt Tamir Cohen could have had a penalty in the first five minutes when he was bumped by Jamie Carragher as he bore down on goalkeeper Jose Reina while Lee Chung-Yong also had a shot cleared off the line by Sotirios Kyrgiakos.
Coyle was also unhappy the South Korean was booked for diving in the penalty area just before the interval.
"I felt in the first half in particular we had some very good opportunities to get in front and we never took them," he said.
"I felt very comfortable in the game at 0-0 but with some of the quality players Liverpool have they can hit you at any given moment.
"Cohen on another day might have resulted in a penalty and Chung-Yong had a terrific run (when his shot was cleared off the line).
"And the booking on Chung-Yong ... I don’t think it was a penalty but there was minimal contact but sometimes just because things aren’t penalties it doesn’t mean someone dived.
"I’m disappointed with the first goal we conceded because it should have been cleared.
"The second goal was a foul as Lucas (Leiva) has dragged Johan Elmander at the back post for the header and wherever the shot was going it wasn’t going in.
"Rafa will be delighted he’s had the breaks today."
Dirk Kuyt’s close-range effort in the first half put Liverpool FC ahead, and an unlucky own goal from Kevin Davies - he deflected Emiliano Insua’s wild shot into the net - saw off a visiting side who had their best chances in the first half but struggled once they fell behind.
"I am pleased with the result and the second half but not too happy with the first half - but at the end of the day we needed to win and we won," said Benitez.
"We are unbeaten in six games and have another clean sheet so that is good.
"In the first half they had two chances and we were a little bit lucky but in the second half it was totally different and we could have scored more goals.
"I think we are improving. Clearly you can see the team is working hard."
In the week when Benitez was strongly linked with Juventus, Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks was in the directors’ box to watch, and after the match a group of a hundred or so fans staged a demonstration outside the ground.
Benitez was asked if he had a meeting scheduled with the American.
"I was on the pitch concentrating. I knew he could come so if he is around I will see him, no problem," said the Spaniard.
Benitez also confirmed forward Ryan Babel, subject of at least one bid from Birmingham City, would be staying at the club.
This time last year the Liverpool FC boss said he did not want to sell Robbie Keane just days before off-loading him back to Tottenham but Babel’s situation is different.
"It is not easy to find better players than you have at this moment but we are watching players and trying to find someone who can be good for the team," said Benitez regarding his continuing search to bring in one more signing before the window closes.
"Last year we knew Tottenham were interested so we had to play a game.
"This year we are not playing any games. He will stay."
Bolton boss Owen Coyle believed his side should have done better with the early chances they had.
He felt Tamir Cohen could have had a penalty in the first five minutes when he was bumped by Jamie Carragher as he bore down on goalkeeper Jose Reina while Lee Chung-Yong also had a shot cleared off the line by Sotirios Kyrgiakos.
Coyle was also unhappy the South Korean was booked for diving in the penalty area just before the interval.
"I felt in the first half in particular we had some very good opportunities to get in front and we never took them," he said.
"I felt very comfortable in the game at 0-0 but with some of the quality players Liverpool have they can hit you at any given moment.
"Cohen on another day might have resulted in a penalty and Chung-Yong had a terrific run (when his shot was cleared off the line).
"And the booking on Chung-Yong ... I don’t think it was a penalty but there was minimal contact but sometimes just because things aren’t penalties it doesn’t mean someone dived.
"I’m disappointed with the first goal we conceded because it should have been cleared.
"The second goal was a foul as Lucas (Leiva) has dragged Johan Elmander at the back post for the header and wherever the shot was going it wasn’t going in.
"Rafa will be delighted he’s had the breaks today."
No comments:
Post a Comment