Benitez interview - Official Site

Official LFC Website, 24 Sept 2004
RAFA TALKS TO LIVERPOOLFC.TV
By Paul Eaton

The manager talks to us about Monday night's defeat, the merits of zonal
defending, Steven Gerrard's injury, this weekend's game against Norwich and
much, much more...

~ Liverpoolfc.tv: What positives can you take from our defeat at Manchester
United on Monday?

Rafael Benitez: There were periods in the game when we didn't play too
badly. We lost possession too easily at times but we had lots of
opportunities for counter attacks. In the second half we played well, the
team fought and showed great spirit and we were trying to score right until
the end of the game.

~ Your team were great against West Brom and Monaco but less convincing
against Man United. Is inconsistency in performances to be expected when
you're working with a new team and trying to get across new ideas?

It's difficult to play to a high level all the time, especially if you're
up against a good team away from home. The important thing at Manchester
United was that we played well at times during the game. That tells me we
can play at a good level even against the top teams.

~ You said after the United game that you need to defend better as a team.
Have you been working on that this week in training?

Normally the players train very well and we do a lot of work on the
defensive side of our game. But this week we are preparing for a home match
and so our idea has been to work more on how we attack.

~ You also mentioned the fact that you use a zonal marking policy from
corners. Can you tell us how that works and what advantages it has over man
to man marking?

When I was at Valencia we started off marking man to man from corners and
then changed to zonal marking. My experience was that we conceded less
goals by marking zones. I think if you study the statistics overall then
you will see that teams concede the same number of goals from corners of
free kicks out wide marking man to man as they do by marking zones.

~ After what happened at Old Trafford, have you been tempted to change your
mind about the policy of marking zones in defence?

No, it's too early to make that decision. Don't forget that before the
Manchester United game we hadn't conceded a goal from a corner kick in any
of our previous ten matches. It's important now that we see more games and
see if the players understand and learn from the mistakes they made on Monday.

~ How disappointed are you with the news that Steven Gerrard is out for two
months?

We all know that Steven is a very important player for us but at least we
have Hamann, Biscan, Diao and Alonso who can play in the same position and
do well for us. There are other possibilities for us and I have a lot of
confidence in these players. It's never good to lose a big player, but when
you have four other players who can play in the same position then you have
to be confident you can cope.

~ Xabi Alonso performed well at Manchester United - will there be more
responsibility on his shoulders now to dictate games following the injury
to Gerrard?

In Alonso and Hamann we have two midfielders with a lot of experience, but
I wouldn't say there is more pressure on them now. Alonso played very well
at Manchester United and Hamann had a good second half. When you lose a
good player like Gerrard but have other good players in the same position
then maybe it isn't so bad for us.

~ How important is it to bounce back straightaway and beat Norwich this
weekend?

It is important to start winning quickly again. In football when you lose
there is always another chance to put things right. We need to win this
weekend. If we keep improving and keep working hard then we will start
winning more games more often.

We've had Norwich watched on a couple of occasions this season. I've seen
two videos and I know they are a good team. They are well organised and can
play short passes as well as long passes. They're not in the best position
at the moment but they're not playing badly. I saw their game recently at
Tottenham and they played very well.

~ After Norwich you go to Greece to face Olympiacos - what kind of match
are you expecting over there?

They have good technical players and they will try to control the game and
keep the ball. We will need to put together good counter attacks, hopefully
with more effectiveness than the other night.

~ What can you tell us about Olympiacos as a team?

In Rivaldo and Giovanni they have two Brazilian players and so a lot of
their football is played on the floor. They usually play short passes. They
are a good side and we will need to play well over there on Tuesday night.
But for now I'm only thinking about Norwich.

~ Finally, the Carling Cup draw has paired you with Millwall. What do you
make of that draw?

I've talked with people about Millwall and they have told me they are a
good side. I believe there will be a good atmosphere down there because
their supporters stay right behind the team. They play good, aggressive
football so we know it'll be a tough tie.