Benitez interview - Official Site

Official LFC Website, 2 Oct 2004
RAFA TALKS TO .TV
By Steve Hunter

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez speaks exclusively to Liverpoolfc.tv about
Sunday's match with Chelsea, the away form and why he feels the Reds will
still qualify for the next phase of the Champions League.
~ Liverpoolfc.tv: What did you learn from the defeat at Olympiacos on
Tuesday night?

Rafael Benitez: Always when you lose it's important to see the video to see
the things you can do better. The most important thing is we need to keep
the ball better and control the game. We need to be more aggressive.

~ Are you still confident you'll qualify from Group A and progress to the
knock-out stages?

Sure because we played well at home against Monaco. We have seen the level
of the teams and we can do it.

~ How much of a concern is your current record away from Anfield?

I remember when I started as manager of Valencia some journalists wrote
something about my record away from home. We won only one point at the
start but by the end of the season we won more points than all the other
teams and won the league.

~ You have said that the players need to change their mentality away from
home. How can you help them do that?

The only thing we can do is train and then talk talk with all the players
one by one. It is the best way to explain my ideas to them.

~ Is it good that you have such a big game to look forward to at Chelsea
after what happened in Greece?

For us all the games will be important. If we can go to London and win
against an important team like Chelsea it will be better for sure.

~ What have you made of Chelsea this season?

I think they are a good team and are playing better each week. They have
good players and with good players you play better.

~ Who are the key players in their team who you will most need to watch on
the day?

Perhaps Drogba is a threat for us. He is a good centre forward and is
strong and good in the air.

~ Have you ever met Jose Mourinho? What do you think of him as a manager?

He is a good manager because he has achieved good results and titles. He
has a good philosophy and normally he obtains titles.

~ How much of a boost would it be if you could go to Chelsea and get three
points?

Always I say it is important against big clubs and good teams, and for us
it is most important.

~ It's been an up and down season so far in terms of results, but what's
the mood like among the players?

The atmosphere in the dressing room is very good. I think we lack
confidence but we are working properly and need to win this game at
Chelsea, then perhaps we can start winning more games.

~ What was your thinking behind the decision to allow Jon Otsemobor to
leave on loan for Crewe this week?

It is important for the young players to play and it is good for their
experience.

~ With Chris Kirkland now fully fit after injury, is Jerzy Dudek's place in
goal under pressure and are you considering a change?

For all the players it is good to have competition competing against them.
To have two good goalkeepers is good for us.

~ The reserves turned in an excellent performance on Thursday night with
Neil Mellor on the scoresheet yet again. Is he a player who might get a
first team chance this season?

Perhaps. We have a lot of games and he is playing well now. He scores goals
and I'm sure there will be a possibility for him.

~ And finally, we saw you with your two girls at Anfield on Saturday, did
they enjoy the experience?

Yes, it was wonderful for my family to see the atmosphere at Anfield. My
daughters had the Liverpool shirt on and they were very happy."