[lfc-news] Fairclough: Glory days can return with Benitez - Post

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Liverpool Daily Post, 29 Oct 2004
Fairclough: Glory days can return with Benitez
By Chris Wright, Daily Post Staff

FORMER Liverpool striker David Fairclough thinks his old club are on the
right road to emulating their illustrious past under Rafael Benitez.

Fairclough made his name in the successful Liverpool side of the 1970s and
now works as a summariser on television and radio. And he has seen enough
of Liverpool and manager Benitez this season to believe they can emulate
some of the successes of the club's illustrious past.

While Benitez's side look to continue to improve their away form at
Blackburn Rovers tomorrow, Fairclough thinks the rebuilding of Fortress
Anfield and a more expansive playing style is the platform to future success.

The former Kop hero, who was speaking at the dual launch of the latest DVD
release - Champions Of Europe - and new book - The Treasures of LFC - at
the Anfield Museum last night, said: "It is looking very optimistic now for
Liverpool. The signs are great. The home form is excellent.

"We are seeing good, exciting football and I think that is something we
have missed over the last few years. We became a little bit too cautious
when we were playing teams at home.

"And I think this style is one that encourages teams to get at the
opposition and put them on the back foot the way it should be. The way it
always was at Anfield. That side of the play is good.

"I think if you make Anfield a fortress again, then I think people will
begin to fear Liverpool overall. It will be a major part of getting back to
where the fans really want us to be.

"But I think most people believe we can get up there. The future is very
bright for Liverpool."

While Fairclough won two championship medals in his time at Anfield, he
thinks it may take some time before the current side can consistently
challenge for the title again.

The flame-haired former forward is forever remembered for his winning goal
against St Etienne in the European Cup quarter-final at Anfield in 1977 -
which is featured on the Champions Of Europe DVD, which brings all four of
the club's European triumphs together on two discs.

And he thinks cup competitions, the Champions League included, may give
Liverpool their best chance of success this season.

He said: "Europe is a big part of the club and the fact now we are back in
the Champions League - I think where everybody feels the club needs to be -
hopefully we can get out of the group stages and begin to cement our place
again in Europe's top level.

"The fact that you have to raise your game on the day in a cup match helps
the side as it is just starting to bond together. To win the Premiership
means that you have got to be so consistent over 38 games. So it is
possible to have good success in the cup.

"We obviously want to be there at the top of the Premiership, but maybe
that might take another year or so before the team has really bonded together.

"But certainly Rafael Benitez has a great track record. He is a quality
manager and I think it was a coup to bring somebody of his standing to the
club. And I think we can only benefit from his approach and his hard work
that he gives for the team."

Fairclough's exploits as a 'Supersub' are legendary and he feels his
explosive style may have been suited more to the modern game.

Milan Baros's midweek double shows what players can do from the bench.
Fairclough said: "He made it look easy, didn't he?"

Then added: "The game has changed and I think my style might not have been
as obvious in the years to come.

"I always felt that is was a slightly deregatory criticism saying I wasn't
a 90-minute player. It was an easy one for people to throw in, to say I was
more effective for 20 minutes than the full 90 minutes.

"But the game now is played in a more dynamic sense. Players don't have to
work for 90 minutes. You see footballers walk far more than we did. We
weren't allowed to walk. We were told to jog back into positions.

"But these days forwards go on an explosive run, they can walk back until
they have got their wind back.

"The game has changed and in that sense the modern game might have suited
my style more."


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