Defiant Rafa set for crunch - 7M sport

Defiant Rafa set for crunch

Posted Wednesday, November 04, 2009 by PA

Rafael Benitez has defended his reign as Liverpool manager with the Anfield club facing European oblivion.

If Liverpool lose their Champions League clash with Group E leaders Lyon in the Stade de Gerland on Wednesday, they will be all but out of this season's competition and Benitez knows the pressure on him will reach even greater heights.

A seventh defeat in eight games would be something Liverpool have not experienced since Bill Shankly's appointment as manager, 50 years ago on December 1.

Lyon, with three victories already, need one point to qualify for the last 16, while Liverpool have never lost three successive European Cup games in their history.

But with a frightening injury crisis, there is a very real prospect of a side missing Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio and Albert Riera suffering that humiliation.

A Champions League exit would cost Liverpool upwards of #15million and leave their season facing ruin.

There would be more calls for Benitez's head but the Spaniard cut a defiant figure, saying: "I am very pleased to be here and I wish to be here for a long time."

Benitez is banking heavily on Fernando Torres getting through a large part of the match with what is now considered to be a hernia problem.

Gerrard did not even travel to France, and Benitez insists that a decision on whether his skipper needs a groin operation will not be taken until Liverpool return to Merseyside.

Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani is on the verge of starting his first game for the club, while a late decision will be taken on Daniel Agger's back problem.

Benitez said: "At one stage 14 players were injured or had a virus, no club could cope with that.

"But two years ago we also needed to win our final three group matches, and we succeeded. We can do that again.

"The players here are strong enough for this challenge. The mentality of the group is good, and they are determined to win."

Lyon will not be fooled by Liverpool's poor form and injury crisis, with coach Claude Puel maintaining the Reds "always have the potential to bounce back".

The French side are considered hot favourites to complete a double over Liverpool, having won at Anfield last month.

But Puel points out that Liverpool bounced back from that defeat to produce a stunning victory against Manchester United in their next match.

Puel said: "Liverpool may have their problems, but after we beat them they turned in a great performance against Manchester United.

Lyon are top of the group after three victories but, though only a point is required to ensure they finish in the top two, Puel says: "We will only be thinking about winning, not just playing for the draw.

"Three teams can still qualify. It is a very tough group and maybe 12 points will not be enough to win the group.

"I believe that Liverpool will work very hard, put us under a lot of pressure and be determined to reverse the results that they have been getting so far in Europe this season.

"They will be tough opponents, and we must not forget what they did to Manchester United recently."

Tag:


Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.