[lfc-news] Rafa's blueprint can revive art of winning - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 24 Feb 2005
Rafa's blueprint can revive art of winning
Exclusive by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

CHELSEA may head to Cardiff as favourites this weekend, but Liverpool
manager Rafa Benitez has devised a plan to ensure his players feel like
winners before a ball is kicked.

Benitez's final preparations will include a timely reminder to his squad
about the joy of success.

The Spanish manager ordered the production of a video highlighting the
best moments of the season so far, as well as scenes of jubilation
enjoyed by some of the greatest sides.

The video is being played to the Liverpool squad to give them a taste of
what could be this Sunday.

"We have prepared videos showing a number of scenes of teams with
trophies, celebrating with their fans. These things can motivate
players," said Benitez.

"I first used this with the Real Madrid youth teams. We reached some cup
finals and it made the players motivated because they could see how good
it feels when you win trophies.

"I use images of many teams, including some which have won the World
Cup. Since I've been here we've prepared videos of the celebrations
after the Arsenal and Olympia-kos victories. The team was celebrating
together, and we want all the players to think of themselves as a team
in this way.

Steven Gerrard celebrates his stunning late strike against Olympiakos,
which guaranteed Liverpool a place in the Champions League knockout stage

"I want them to remember how they felt when they won those games so
they'll do everything they can to feel that way again.

"I'm sure other managers do the same.

"We also use images of Liverpool fans celebrating these moments so the
play-ers can see how important it is to the supporters for their side to
play their best football."

For Benitez, the 'winning mentality' can be as important as talent on a
cup final day. He is a manager who won't tolerate defeatism, so it comes
as no surprise he's admitted to having a quiet word with his skipper
after the Reds' Champions League hopes were played down.

An interview Gerrard conducted with BBC radio a week ago was
mischievously held back until the eve of the Leverkusen match for
maximum impact.

Benitez said: "I spoke with Steven Gerrard and he told me his words
weren't presented in the right way. But I said to him, in future it's
better to think we can win the Champions League. Why not? We need
winners here and everyone thinking only of winning.

"I always want to win. If I lose, all I think about is why we lost. When
we lose, I only think about solutions. If you only think about winning
the next game, you don't know what the draw will be.

"If we can win the next game, maybe we will get a side which isn't so
strong, or a side which has injuries or suspensions. This is football,
not mathematics. We have a new manager and new players and we are still
learning about each other.

"Eventually we must all have the same ideas.

"At Valencia, after three years we all said the same thing, but I
remember the first January I was at the club. We were eight points
behind Real Madrid but I insisted we could win the league. People said I
was crazy. In the end, we won the league.

"By the third year when I said we could win the league, everyone agreed.
That was because by then everyone had confidence in our work."

Benitez, of course, is no stranger to cup finals or silverware. He led
Valencia to the UEFA Cup last May and his two La Liga titles earned him
recognition as one of Europe's finest coaches.

He says a similar success on Sunday will be as satisfying as those more
prestigious honours.

"If we win now it will feel the same to me as winning the UEFA Cup and
Spanish League because it would be my first trophy in another country.
That's more difficult," he says.

"To work in a new country is hard. It needs adaptation and more
responsibility. In Spain, it's easier for me. I know all the players and
language. Here, I need my staff even more.

"My challenge is to win even more trophies, and more important trophies
than the League Cup, but I see this as a first step.

"Our idea is to make this competition the first stone of a new building.
We want to be in more finals in future.

"As a manager it's always a challenge to win trophies. I'm delighted I
have the chance to do so in my first year. If we ever win the
Premiership or Champions League, obviously it will be better. But it's a
long process trying to have that kind of success.

"You can't do everything in your first year, so to have a chance to win
any competition shows we're heading in the right direction."

So what will be the final message to the players before they face Chelsea?

For all the pep talks, tactical demonstrations and videos, Benitez is
sure his side won't let the club down in the Millennium stadium.

"It's easier preparing a team for a cup final," he said.

"There's no need to motivate the players. All of them want to play.
Those who didn't play against Bayer Leverkusen are passionate about
playing. I can see in their faces in training how well they want to play."

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