Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes his side now has the experience to justify their billing amongst the Champions’ League favourites.
But the Spanish coach knows that even the Reds are expected to again punch above their weight in the premier European competition, it is the league that his own club’s supporters will judge him by.
Liverpool entertains Hungarian side Debrecen in the first match of the group stage this week, with the whole of Europe expecting them to overcome that initial hurdle with ease.
Benitez now expects the same from his side, but he admitted that while the focus naturally turns to the Champions’ League, it is the Premier League which will determine whether the fans judge him a success.
“It is important to approach every game and every competition trying to win, but at a club like Liverpool the priority for the fans is the Premier League, then Champions’ League, then FA Cup then Carling Cup,” he explained.
“That is the order for the supporters, but of course they expect us to perform in the Champions’ League, because of our success in this competition in the past.
“In a top side like Liverpool you need to be able to handle the pressure of that expectation. People expect us to beat Debrecen even though they are a very good side.
“We know that, and we have confidence we can deal with it now. We know we need to get off to a good start, we know that the first thing is to win this game and be in a better position on Thursday.”
But the Spanish coach knows that even the Reds are expected to again punch above their weight in the premier European competition, it is the league that his own club’s supporters will judge him by.
Liverpool entertains Hungarian side Debrecen in the first match of the group stage this week, with the whole of Europe expecting them to overcome that initial hurdle with ease.
Benitez now expects the same from his side, but he admitted that while the focus naturally turns to the Champions’ League, it is the Premier League which will determine whether the fans judge him a success.
“It is important to approach every game and every competition trying to win, but at a club like Liverpool the priority for the fans is the Premier League, then Champions’ League, then FA Cup then Carling Cup,” he explained.
“That is the order for the supporters, but of course they expect us to perform in the Champions’ League, because of our success in this competition in the past.
“In a top side like Liverpool you need to be able to handle the pressure of that expectation. People expect us to beat Debrecen even though they are a very good side.
“We know that, and we have confidence we can deal with it now. We know we need to get off to a good start, we know that the first thing is to win this game and be in a better position on Thursday.”
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