[lfc-news] Rafa's Premiership preview - Official Site

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Official LFC Website, 12 Aug 2005
RAFA'S PREMIERSHIP PREVIEW
Paul Eaton

On the eve of the brand new season Rafa Benitez talks to Liverpoolfc.tv
about his hopes for the coming campaign at Anfield.

~ Rafa, the start of the new Premiership season is finally with us - how
excited do you feel?

I'm very excited. We have worked hard in pre-season getting ready for
this weekend. The players have done well and I'm sure they're all
looking forward to tomorrow's game. The first day is always exciting,
especially if you're playing against a good team.

~ How much more confident do you feel going into this season than you
were a year ago when you were unfamiliar with the Premiership?

I have a lot more confidence. I know more about the players, the teams,
the stadiums and the atmospheres inside the grounds. That means I can
approach our matches in a different way this season.

~ Has pre-season gone exactly to plan as far as preparing for this
weekend is concerned?

It was sometimes difficult for us because we needed to change our plans
and weren't able to go to Japan. In the end it's not been bad for us
because we worked hard in Switzerland, we played some official games and
won a lot of matches. We have enjoyed a good pre-season.

~ What's pleased you most about the games you've played over the last
few weeks?

I think the atmosphere between the players. It's really good. The new
signings have come in and have shown that they are good professionals as
well. The team spirit is really good.

~ You've scored 25 goals in eight pre-season games, does that statistic
give you confidence for the new league season?

Of course. We are more consistent now and we have been scoring goals in
all of our games. Hopefully we can take that form into the Premiership.

~ You've had a long trip to Bulgaria this week - has that made planning
for the Middlesbrough game more difficult than you'd ideally have liked?

It's been a little bit more difficult, that's true. But we have good
players who are in a very good physical condition. We want to see them
all fit but we know we have a strong squad and so we can bring in other
players if necessary.

~ Were you pleased with the performance your side gave in Sofia?

Yes. We played a good game. It was more difficult than people thought it
would be but we did a good job and earned a good result.
Fernando Morientes scored two good goals and he will have more
confidence now because it's always important for the centre forwards to
score.

~ Liverpool's recent record at Middlesbrough isn't good - how difficult
an opening day fixture is this for your side?

It's a difficult game but you must play against all the sides. We are in
a good position now, we have a better squad and a lot of confidence so
we're capable of getting a good result there.

~ You're keen for an improved away record this season, is Middlesbrough
the sort of place you need to be picking up points from?

It's too early to say that. We might lose tomorrow and then win our next
five. All I can say is it's important we play well, score goals and win
some games.

~ Where do you see the danger coming from in Steve McLaren's side?

The strikers. Yakubu and Hasselbaink are good players and they have
Downing to get the crosses in. They are a strong team and a good team.
It will be a difficult game for us.

~ Is there even more pressure to do well in the league this season
because you have the title of European Champions?

No. It just means we will have a lot more confidence, not more pressure.
We are Liverpool and that means we must win as many games as we can. We
know what we can do and now it's up to us to go and produce good
performances.

~ How important is it to get off to a good start and not find yourself
adrift of the leaders after the first fewweeks of the season?

That's true. We want to be in the top four as soon as we can and then if
we can get there we can start looking at what else we can fight for. The
important thing at the moment is just to concentrate on the next game
and look to start picking up points as soon as we can.

~ Are Chelsea the team to beat once again this year?

I think so. They are the champions, but Arsenal and Manchester United
are good teams as well. I hope it will be an exciting race for the title
and I also hope we can be involved.

~ Outside of the big four, which of the other teams do you feel can
challenge for a Champions League slot this season in the way Everton did
last year?

There are always teams who surprise you. This season I think Newcastle,
Bolton, Tottenham and Middlesbrough are good teams and they can do well
this season.

~ What can Liverpool fans realistically expect in terms of the
Premiership this season? Are we aiming higher than saying we just want a
top four finish?

My idea is to fight for as many trophies as we can. I don't want to just
say our aim is the top four. We have to win as many games as we can and
see where we can go.

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