[lfc-news] Rafa gets ready for his first derby taste - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 10 Dec 2004
Rafa gets ready for his first derby taste
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ admits his only Merseyside derby experience to date has come
from reference books.

The Anfield boss has never attended a Liverpool versus Everton match, and
says he never even watched the games on TV in Spain.

Tomorrow will be a journey into the unknown, but he has plenty of
researchers filling him in on the finer details of the fixture.

"I'm sure Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard will tell us what to expect,"
said Benitez.

"In Valencia we didn't have an important derby game like this. The other
side nearby, Levante, have only recently joined the first division and
weren't big rivals.

"Real Madrid versus Barcelona is seen as the biggest fixture in Spain, but
they are different cities so it's hard to compare it with a derby.

"The most similar in terms of how the supporters feel is Seville against
Real Betis. Three weeks before that game, the fans are talking about it and
the atmosphere is very good.

"In a big town like Liverpool it's normal to have so many supporters for
each club. If you lose, it's a problem to the fans because you have to see
the opponent all the time in work. I've never seen the game but I've spoken
to a lot of people who work for us and they've told me why it is such an
important match.

"I've also read all about the history of the clubs and I like the way both
have their own identity. That's why I don't agree with the idea of sharing
a stadium.

"I went to the Everton versus Arsenal match at Goodison Park and the
supporters who saw me were friendly. They just said 'don't beat us'."

As Benitez will soon discover, reading or hearing about the event is one
thing, experiencing is another.

But he insists he'll be trying to ensure the occasion doesn't overshadow
what's really at stake for his side.

"I try to think only of the three points," he says. "I see we're playing a
side which is doing well in the table and is in the top four. For me, the
situation is important not only because it's a derby, but because of the
league positions.

" With such an important Champions League game, I've not even thought about
the fixture until yesterday.

"Now we are working out our approach. Mentally, I don't think there will be
a problem. The players see the atmosphere and that ensures they're ready.

"I know Everton play as a team. It will be difficult, but we shall try to
use the right style we need to get a good result."

Benitez is hoping the momentum of Wednesday's heroic Champions League
victory will have a galvanising impact tomorrow.

"When you win, it can have a snowballing effect," he says..

"At this moment I'm very proud of the players and the supporters. Wednesday
was an important night for the finances and prestige of the club. We can
now be considered in the top 16 of Europe. This should give us more
confidence in the future.

"We know we can win difficult games."

Having secured at least £5m, Benitez can also reconsider his options in the
transfer market.

"I have not spoken to the chairman or chief executive about how much money
there is," insists Benitez..

"I'm working with the scouts, looking at different players at different
levels. The main thing is to bring in players we need, not just the most
expensive or the cheapest."



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