[lfc-news] Benitez keeps faith as Finnan warns Reds to improve - Post

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Liverpool Daily Post, 18 Mar 2005
Benitez keeps faith as Finnan warns Reds to improve

RAFAEL BENITEZ last night vowed to stay faithful to Liverpool and
continue his quest to bring silverware back to Anfield next season.

The Liverpool manager has been linked with a shock return to Real Madrid
this summer as the Spanish giants consider yet another upheaval at the
Bernabeu.

Benitez is reportedly second in line to be offered the Madrid job is
Vanderlei Luxembergo departs this summer, behind current Juventus coach
Fabio Capello.

Liverpool officials have been reassured by Benitez that he intends to
fulfil a long-term commitment at Anfield, but privately fear the former
Valencia coach would be unable to resist a tempting offer in the future
from the club he served over 22 years.

The Madrid reports have added to Benitez's problems in a week when
Liverpool were held to a goalless draw at home to Blackburn and the
Harry Kewell saga rumbled on.

But ahead of Sunday's Merseyside derby the Liverpool manager insisted he
would still be at the Anfield helm next season. Benitez stated: "I want
to say clearly, I have a deal with Liverpool and I am very happy here
and grateful to the supporters and the board. My idea is to be here next
season and to win trophies with Liverpool.

"People talk a lot, and there are always rumours about Spain. But I see
and hear the people here, the supporters.

"I am grateful to them for their support, as well as the board's. I am
very happy here and want to win trophies with Liverpool next season.

"And I am not thinking about the future, I am only thinking about three
points and reducing the gap on Everton.

"I do not like to hear rumours, I want to make it clear I have a deal
with Liverpool and want to stay here to win trophies."

Steve Finnan, meanwhile, admits Liverpool must improve on Wednesday's
frustrating dis-play against Blackburn if they are to revive their
Champions League aspirations this weekend.

The performance of the Republic of Ireland international provided one of
the few positives on a subdued night at Anfield.

And with Everton expected to bring the same resilience as Blackburn did
to Anfield this Sunday, the former Fulham defender believes Liverpool's
creativity and set-pieces need to improve if they are to find a way through.

Finnan said: "It was disappointing for us on Wednesday. We kept a clean
sheet but didn't create enough chances, and Blackburn deserved their point.

"Maybe we are more suited to the European game at the moment, where
teams are giving us that bit more space by attacking us. We have to work
harder on breaking them down.

"Teams do their homework and know how to play against us. When that
happens, you need to create chances or have good set-pieces, and we had
neither of that against Blackburn. We will need to do a bit more in the
final third on Sunday."

Finnan admits Sunday's derby is now a "must-win" for Liverpool after
they wasted another chance to increase the pressure on Everton.

He added: "The last time we knew Everton had lost (at home to Chelsea)
we went and got beat by Birmingham, so the pressure is on. Sunday is a
must-win game. If we do the gap is down to four points and then you
never know.

"I am looking forward to the game as I missed the last derby. It would
be a disaster for our fans if we lost two in a season. Everyone has had
their eye on the game for a while.

"The games are starting to run out now, so if we want to close the gap
we need to start winning games, starting on Sunday."

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