[lfc-news] Complacency will be our downfall, warns Benitez - Telegraph

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Daily Telegraph, 10 Aug 2004
Complacency will be our downfall, warns Benitez
By William Johnson in Graz

Liverpool will be on their guard against rustiness and complacency here
tonight when they enter the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium with their hopes
of taking a share of Champions League riches in the balance.

The Merseysiders would have preferred at least one competitive domestic
fixture before taking on Austrian double winners AK Graz in the final
qualifying round of Europe's premier competition.

Mindful of Newcastle United's costly failure to overcome Partizan Belgrade
at the corresponding stage a year ago - Sir Bobby Robson's team were
consigned to the UEFA Cup after a penalty shoot-out - the team now managed
by Spaniard Rafael Benitez intend to be totally focused on ensuring that
they return to Anfield in a fortnight with the two-legged tie in their grasp.

Steven Gerrard, Liverpool's inspirational captain who is hoping to shrug
off a nagging thigh injury to lead the team tonight, summed up the mood in
the squad who arrived in Austria yesterday afternoon.

"The most important thing is that we go into the game with a lot of respect
and don't underestimate them," said the England midfielder, who sustained
his injury on the recent tour of the United States.

"There's a big lesson for us to learn from what happened to Newcastle last
season. I'm sure they went into their games expecting to come through and
maybe underestimated the opposition. I can assure you that won't happen to us."

Gerrard regarded it as "a bit strange" to be starting the new season with a
European engagement but said: "The manager has done his homework about them
and says they're not a team that can be taken lightly following the season
they had last year."

Benitez, who expressed confidence that Gerrard would prove his fitness this
morning, went as far as to describe Graz, who are the early leaders of the
Austrian League after winning three of their opening four matches, as
"dangerous" opponents.

"I have seen two videos and talked with our scouts about them," said
Benitez, fresh from his exploits at Valencia, where he won the Spanish
League twice in three years and the UEFA Cup last season.

"They have 10 internationals and they won the double. For me, they are a
danger team. They are strong in the air, good defensively and they win a
lot of games.

"My other concern as we face what will be aggressive opponents is that we
don't have the pace of competitive football as yet."

Benitez believes that being drawn against Liverpool with a Champions League
group place at stake will motivate Graz more than his own team. "If we
don't concentrate we will be in trouble."

He chose not to select Danny Murphy in his travelling squad after accepting
a bid in the region of £3 million for the England midfielder but he decided
that Michael Owen would travel despite suggestions that the striker is in
discussions regarding a transfer to Real Madrid.

"Michael is a player I can use if I want to for this game," said Benitez,
aware that Owen would be cup-tied for the rest of the European season if he
plays tonight. If the manager chooses to maximise the £10 million-plus fee
he could command for Owen, Milan Baros is the likely partner up front for
new, £14 million signing Djibril Cisse.

Regarding Murphy, whose availability has brought opposition to Spurs for
his signature, Benitez said: "It's not a risk to leave him behind.

"I have a team in my mind for this qualifying game. I know I don't have a
lot of players at my disposal now, but we have enough players in the key
areas. We have the players I need in each position, and that's important."

Benitez admits to being enthralled at the dawning of a new chapter in his
impressive career. Looking forward to his first competitive match as Gerard
Houllier's successor, he enthused: "It's exciting, but if I'm too excited I
can't see straight.

"I need to keep my mind clear and control what's going on. I enjoy my days
and my work here with Liverpool."

AK Graz (probable): Schranz; Standfest, Tokic, Ehmann, Pogatez; Ramusch,
Muratovic, Aufhauser, Amerhauser; Skoro, Kollmann.

Liverpool (possible): Dudek; Josemi, Henchoz, Hyypia, Carragher; Finnan,
Gerrard, Hamann, Kewell; Cisse, Owen or Baros.

Referee: A Sars (France).


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