Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Rafa Benitez: Liverpool FC Must Improve Away Form To Reach Champions League


Rafa Benitez yesterday called for a dramatic improvement in Liverpool’s away form as they seek a first win on their travels in more than two months.

The Reds have won four of their 14 Premier League games away from Anfield – the last was at Aston Villa on December 29 – and have only taken 18 points from a possible 42.

At this stage of last season, Liverpool’s victory total was eight and their outstanding form on the road was the reason they were able to push for the title.

But if they are going to clamber back into a Champions League spot this season, Benitez knows it is vital Liverpool start making up for lost time.

That’s why Benitez is demanding Liverpool leave Wigan Athletic with nothing less than three points and a place back in the top four.

“I have been checking the numbers from where we were last season and you can see that we were much better away from home,” said Liverpool’s manager.

“We have got to improve and that is very clear. But we have got an opportunity tonight and we have got to try and take it. We need to change our record.

“You have to keep a good balance between what you are doing at home and what you are doing away. Recently we’ve been quite good at home but away it has not been so good.”

Benitez, though, believes the return to fitness of key trio Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun will dramatically improve Liverpool’s prospects.

“You want to play nice football and you have an idea of what you want to do,” said Benitez. “But to do that, you need players with quality. When you talk about the players who have been missing – Yossi, Fernando, Fabio Aurelio, Stevie, Glen Johnson – you can see what effect it has had.

“But now we have these players coming back. That is going to be a big boost for us and I know that we can start to play a little bit better.”

Liverpool have not lost to Wigan since the Latics were promoted to the top flight in 2005.

Wigan’s form has been hugely inconsistent and they are in danger of being sucked into the relegation zone but Benitez is taking nothing for granted.

“Wigan try to play nice football and they have got some strong players,” Benitez pointed out.

“It is going to be difficult for us but we have more confidence. We are strong in defence, we are scoring goals and are in a good moment.”

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