Rafael Benitez believes Fernando Torres can reign in his frustration and help Liverpool salvage their season.
The Anfield outfit begin a make-or-break seven days this evening with the Premier League visit of rock-bottom Portsmouth.
Benitez’s men suffered a dismal time last week when a 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic on Monday was followed by a similar loss in the Europa League round of 16 first leg in Lille three days later.
Torres, who is still regaining match sharpness after a knee operation, missed a clutch of chances and his annoyance boiled over with unnecessary bookings in both games.
But Benitez is convinced the Spaniard demonstrated signs of getting back to his best in France last Thursday, and challenged the striker to rediscover his goalscoring touch and rekindle Liverpool’s hopes of Champions League qualification.
“I know Fernando was unhappy with two or three decisions and got himself booked again, but overall he was more focused against Lille,” said the Anfield manager.
“His behaviour, and everything about him, was much better, and it will continue the same way as we win games and improve our position.
“You could see against Lille that Fernando is improving and getting his form back. If he can keep putting that effort in, he will continue to get better with each game and will be among the goals again.
“It is very clear that he can make a big difference to us over the remainder of the season, if he carries on like that and starts finishing off some of the chances we have been creating.
“We had a run of games where we were looking stronger and more solid but were just missing that cutting edge up front.
“With Fernando, Stevie and Yossi coming back, it should be easier for the team, in that respect.
“We should be scoring more goals, and that will help the run-in.”
Having fallen four points behind fourth place given Tottenham Hotspur’s win over Blackburn Rovers at the weekend, victory is imperative for Benitez’s side this evening.
Torres spoke over the weekend of his frustration at Liverpool’s failure to challenge for the title this season while urging fresh investment in the squad this summer. And Benitez admits a desperation for honours is the driving force behind the Spain international’s efforts.
“People talk about money with him, but I can tell you his main motivation is winning trophies,” said the Liverpool manager. “That is what drives him on. That is always the main topic in any discussion between us. I was talking with him a few months ago, and that was all that concerned him.
“His only thought was to be challenging for honours, and that always comes across whenever we talk. Everyone knows you can have a bad season every now and then, and that is why frustration sometimes gets the better of him, but we have to keep going.
“Finishing fourth would mean a lot to Fernando, because he wants to be playing in the Champions’ League, but we all want that. It is important to me, to the other players and everyone connected to the club. That is the target, and we will do everything to achieve it.”
Benitez, though, is determined Liverpool do not become overly reliant on Torres and skipper Steven Gerrard during the last two months of the campaign. He said: “There is no doubt Stevie and Fernando are the key players, the ones who can make a difference for us but the others have a part to play.
“Those who stepped in and worked so hard when Fernando was out deserve a lot of credit, but we still need them to contribute. Players like Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt, who is always trying, and Lucas and Javier Mascherano. You cannot get by without these players, and they have to keep pushing and moving us forward.”
The Anfield outfit begin a make-or-break seven days this evening with the Premier League visit of rock-bottom Portsmouth.
Benitez’s men suffered a dismal time last week when a 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic on Monday was followed by a similar loss in the Europa League round of 16 first leg in Lille three days later.
Torres, who is still regaining match sharpness after a knee operation, missed a clutch of chances and his annoyance boiled over with unnecessary bookings in both games.
But Benitez is convinced the Spaniard demonstrated signs of getting back to his best in France last Thursday, and challenged the striker to rediscover his goalscoring touch and rekindle Liverpool’s hopes of Champions League qualification.
“I know Fernando was unhappy with two or three decisions and got himself booked again, but overall he was more focused against Lille,” said the Anfield manager.
“His behaviour, and everything about him, was much better, and it will continue the same way as we win games and improve our position.
“You could see against Lille that Fernando is improving and getting his form back. If he can keep putting that effort in, he will continue to get better with each game and will be among the goals again.
“It is very clear that he can make a big difference to us over the remainder of the season, if he carries on like that and starts finishing off some of the chances we have been creating.
“We had a run of games where we were looking stronger and more solid but were just missing that cutting edge up front.
“With Fernando, Stevie and Yossi coming back, it should be easier for the team, in that respect.
“We should be scoring more goals, and that will help the run-in.”
Having fallen four points behind fourth place given Tottenham Hotspur’s win over Blackburn Rovers at the weekend, victory is imperative for Benitez’s side this evening.
Torres spoke over the weekend of his frustration at Liverpool’s failure to challenge for the title this season while urging fresh investment in the squad this summer. And Benitez admits a desperation for honours is the driving force behind the Spain international’s efforts.
“People talk about money with him, but I can tell you his main motivation is winning trophies,” said the Liverpool manager. “That is what drives him on. That is always the main topic in any discussion between us. I was talking with him a few months ago, and that was all that concerned him.
“His only thought was to be challenging for honours, and that always comes across whenever we talk. Everyone knows you can have a bad season every now and then, and that is why frustration sometimes gets the better of him, but we have to keep going.
“Finishing fourth would mean a lot to Fernando, because he wants to be playing in the Champions’ League, but we all want that. It is important to me, to the other players and everyone connected to the club. That is the target, and we will do everything to achieve it.”
Benitez, though, is determined Liverpool do not become overly reliant on Torres and skipper Steven Gerrard during the last two months of the campaign. He said: “There is no doubt Stevie and Fernando are the key players, the ones who can make a difference for us but the others have a part to play.
“Those who stepped in and worked so hard when Fernando was out deserve a lot of credit, but we still need them to contribute. Players like Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt, who is always trying, and Lucas and Javier Mascherano. You cannot get by without these players, and they have to keep pushing and moving us forward.”
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