[lfc-news] Rafa satisfied with points but not performance - Official Site

Official LFC Website, 28 Dec 2004
RAFA SATISFIED WITH POINTS BUT NOT PERFORMANCE
By Steve Hunter

Rafael Benitez agreed that Liverpool were not at their best against
Southampton but said it was an important three points for the team's
confidence to take into Saturday's clash with Chelsea.

Benitez felt Southampton made it difficult for Liverpool by closing down
space and battling hard but said it was a most welcome three points.

Benitez said: "The best thing to take from this game is the three
points. It's difficult to play two games in two days but if you win you
know you can play better the next game.

"We have now won three Premiership games in a row and we want to make
that four and our confidence will be better. I thought in the second
half we were nervous and were thinking about what happened in the
Portsmouth game.

"We scored a good goal from Sinama-Pongolle after a good pass from Xabi
Alonso and could have scored more than one. Riise had a great shot that
hit the bar and Gerrard had a chance at the end.

"We didn't play at the level we know we can but it's an important three
points for us. Losing Steve Finnan was a blow because right back is not
the position for Salif Diao and it is difficult for him."

Steven Gerrard reflected on the win and insisted the result was more
important than the performance.

"Before the game three points was the all-important thing and that is
what we achieved," said Gerrard.

"Sometimes in this league it's not about playing well, it's about
getting the points. The boys battled well today and we deserved it.

"Southampton were making it hard for us. They had a lot of men behind
the ball but we knew the breaks would come if we kept passing the ball
and matching them."

"We've won three on the spin now but we need more," he added. "That is
what Liverpool Football Club is all about - winning games. Three is not
enough and we want to win more.

"Our performances at home this season have been really good and I'd like
to think Anfield is becoming a fortress once again. If we can take this
form into our away games then things will be looking really good.

"It's important to build on results like the West Brom one. Today we've
done that and we need to take this into the Chelsea game."


------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
$4.98 domain names from Yahoo!. Register anything.
http://us.click.yahoo.com/Q7_YsB/neXJAA/yQLSAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/