1 Maarten Stekelenburg (G)
2 Johnny Heitinga (D)
6 Hedwiges Maduro (D)
20 George Ogararu (D)
22 Robert Schilder (D)
25 Gregory Van Der Wiel (D)
38 Siem de Jong (M)
17 Jan Vertonghen (M)
9 Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (S)
10 Albert Luque (S)
16 Luis Suarez (S)
Substitutes
30 Dennis Gentenaar (G)
31 Jurgen Colin (D)
7 Kennedy Bakircioglu (M)
24 Mitchell Donald (M)
37 Jan-Arie Van Der Heijden (M)
19 Dennis Rommedahl (S)
8 Ismael Urzaiz (S)
RAFA BENITEZ admits Liverpool’s Champions League plight would drive him
crazy if he let it.
The Merseysiders must win their final three Group A matches starting against
Besiktas at Anfield tomorrow.
And they may have to rely on Mar-seille and Porto dropping points to reach
the knockout stages after one draw and two defeats from their opening three
clashes.
But Benitez insisted: “I am not going to drive myself crazy by thinking
about the permutations. You can’t do anything about the other teams until
you play them.
“But it is a time to believe. We know the Besiktas game is really important
but if you approach the game under pressure you will make mistakes.
“We need to win but we must play with confidence. If we do the right things
against Besiktas and win then we have the confidence to go forward and win
again.”
Failing to make the last 16 would cost Liverpool millions and could put
Benitez’s job in jeopardy — although the Spaniard does not see it that
way.
He added: “Am I surprised that we are in this situation? No.
“In this competition if you make one mistake you can be in trouble and that
has happened. Because of our past achievements, winning two years ago and
reaching the final last season, if we go out now people would say it is the
end of something.
“It’s important to win for the financial situation. But our long-term plan
doesn’t depend on this competition and if we lose it’s not the end of the
world.”
Liverpool have won just one of their last four games — against Cardiff in
the Carling Cup — and drew another blank in Saturday’s 0-0 Premier League
draw at Blackburn.
But Benitez insisted: “In the last four games we have been playing better.
“If we weren’t creating the chances we are, then it would be a problem but
I have confidence we will start scoring goals soon.”
Benitez is determined to keep faith with Dirk Kuyt against the Turks despite
just three goals in 13 games this season from the ￡9million hitman.
Kuyt wasted several good chances at Blackburn while substitute Peter Crouch
made a big impact.
But the Dutchman remains Benitez’s No 1 striker, at least until ￡25million
record signing Fernando Torres is back from a thigh injury.
The Kop boss added: “At least he’s getting in the positions to score.”
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發表於 2007-11-4 21:49:49
