[lfc-news] Reds duo recover - PA

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PA Sport, 18 Oct 2004
REDS DUO RECOVER

Rafael Benitez will have both Harry Kewell and Steve Finnan available for
Liverpool's Champions League clash with Deportivo La Coruna at Anfield.

Kewell did not even make the bench at Fulham after returning from his trip
to Australia suffering from tiredness and an ankle problem. Finnan acquired
a stomach problem while away with the Republic of Ireland and also failed
to make the trip to the capital.

But both are back in the squad against the Spanish club as Liverpool bid
for the three points that will edge them to the brink of qualification for
the next stage.

Benitez is demanding that his players transfer the fighting spirit they
showed at Fulham into the clash at Anfield.

On Saturday the Spanish coach must have been in the depths of despair at
half time, 2-0 down against the Londoners and facing another nightmare away
defeat. But 45 minutes later, all that misery had been swept away by a Xabi
Alonso-fightback to win 4-2.

Fast forward to Anfield this week and a crucial Champions League group A
clash with Deportivo, foes Benitez knows only too well from his time in the
upper echelons of La Liga.

Victory will boost Liverpool's ambitions of qualifying for the knock-out
stage and leave Deportivo with a solitary point after three games.

Defeat, though, will send Liverpool back to square one as the former
Valencia boss tries to return the Merseysiders to the peak of European
football.

Such hopes have been kept close to his chest in England, but in a Spanish
interview this week, Benitez - who won the UEFA Cup with Valencia last
season - reveals some of his innermost feelings with regard the task ahead
of him.

He was quoted as saying: "If you see all the history that is true, we need
to be better in the future and increase our own level. We must win at home
and get good results away, and I hope to see a good Liverpool against Depor."

He certainly has all the ammunition of knowledge about Deportivo, regular
and tough opponents in La Liga, even though their form has been patchy this
season.

However, a fortnight ago Depor won for the first time in 49 years at the
Bernabeu against Real Madrid, and then Saturday's victory over newly
promoted Getafe pushed them higher in the table towards Barcelona and
Benitez's old club.

"We have seen a stronger mentality and spirit," said Benitez.

"In the first half at Fulham we were without confidence, but after the
break we played much better and the spirit was there," he said.

"I have seen Deportivo's last game, we know they are a big team and play
almost from memory. But we have confidence now in ourselves.

"They have had trouble recently because Mauro Silva and Aldo Duscher have
been injured but they are back now and things are starting to change.

"They have not been playing that well because they have had two very good
central midfielders out injured. But they are both back now, so that makes
them more dangerous. But if we win they will probably not have many more
chances to qualify."

The Reds boss continued: "If we want to win we must be aggressive and play
a physical game. We must keep the ball because if they have it, with the
likes of Valeron playing behind the strikers and with two good wingers,
Luque and Victor, they will always be dangerous.

"Their side all know each other very well, they play from memory because
they have been together for several years and with the same coach.

"The fact that they have only scored once in the Champions League this
season is not the fault of the strikers. When you are without such fine
midfield players as Duscher and Silva, it is much more difficult to do well.

"The strikers need good service, which means Silva, Duscher and Valeron are
very important for them.

"So we must use our brains, we must show intensity and control. And to
think more."

Deportivo coach Javier Irureta welcomes midfielder Mauro Silva back into
his 20-man squad after the Brazilian injured his knee on the opening day of
the season against Espanyol.

His return, however, is offset by the absence of Sergio Gonzalez through
suspension.

Team (from): Kirkland, Josemi, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Diao, Hamann,
Alonso, Garcia, Warnock, Kewell, Finnan, Baros, Biscan, Cisse, Pongolle,
Dudek, Welsh, Whitbread.


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