RAFA ON ARSENAL, KUYT AND TEAM SELECTION
Liverpoolfc.tv 04 April 2008
Rafa Benitez takes five minutes out of his preparations for Saturday's big game to speak to Liverpoolfc.tv about the Barclays Premier League encounter with Arsenal.
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Rafa Benitez
Rafa, looking back on the midweek draw with Arsenal, how satisfied were you with the result?
We must be really happy. It was a difficult game against a good team and to draw away in Europe I think is really important.
I'm sure you've watched the game back on video so what pleased you most about the performance?
The work rate of the team was really good, especially some players, but as a team we were working as a unit. We were very compact with a clear idea. Sometimes we could have done a little bit better with the last pass but as a team we worked really hard.
It wasn't part of the plan to go behind and did you feel the worst at that stage because Arsenal looked like they were getting a real grip on the game?
You know Arsenal is a team that always has plenty of possession whether it be the Premier League or Champions League. So to concede a goal when you know they will create chances was a big problem, but we scored our goal early and it was very good.
Arsene Wenger has said it was a like a thunderstorm went through his side when Dirk Kuyt equalised. How much of a boost did it give your players when he scored?
It was really, really important. We were talking before the game about the need to score a goal and to win if it was possible, but the first idea was clear and that was to score, to go forward and to create something on the counter attack. As soon as we scored I think it was really difficult for them because mentally you could see they were affected so it was a boost for us.
There were lots of quality players on the pitch but it was Steven Gerrard with a moment of inspiration for you to set up your goal...
You know when you have players like Torres, Gerrard, Babel and Kuyt up front you have players who can change the game. As a manager you must be really happy with this situation and Gerrard with his ability, his power, changed the game and Kuyt did well for the goal.
Dirk Kuyt has come in for a lot of criticism from some supporters this season but he was a real hero for you on Wednesday wasn't he?
Yes. I think he showed in the derby and in this game that he has a fantastic team spirit. He's a player who works really hard for the team. He's not selfish and I think he is the kind of player you want in the squad.
It's very unusual for you to single out players for specific praise but that shows how delighted you must have been with his performance...
He is a striker who was scoring a lot of goals in Holland. Playing as a right winger, he defends, attacks and runs 40/50 metres all of the time and he doesn't complain. He always tries to do his best for the team. I think he's amazing and I think everybody needs to know he is a player of the team.
He has settled well into this position on the right side of the attacking three, hasn't he?
Yes. He played in this position in Holland sometimes but they were playing a 4-3-3 formation so he was playing as a winger like Babel for example. Working as hard as he does for us in attack and defence shows the mentality and the character of this player.
He's got six goals in the Champions League this season. That shows he can deliver the goods in the biggest competition...
I think he's a winner. He's very competitive so in the big games he is working and ready for everything.
Does his goal give you an advantage going into the second leg?
I think we are in a much better position. We will be playing at Anfield which is very important for us. The away goal is also important, but we know that Arsenal is a good team who normally score goals home and away so our idea and approach to the game will be to win.
Was that a typical Liverpool European away performance?
I think it was more or less. We knew what to do, we were well organised and in Europe it's really important to be compact in defence and after play on the counter attack.
You've beaten Inter Milan away, you won in Barcelona last season, but does that draw at Arsenal rank up with those two in terms of achievement in this competition?
Yes. I think it showed the players are good enough and they have very good mentality, and in the big games some of them can deliver.
You travelled back to Liverpool after the game on Wednesday and you go back down to London on Friday. Is it possible to prepare for Saturday's game in the way you would like to?
Our idea was to come back here to Melwood because I think it's easier for us to train here. We can practice things but if we were in London it would be more difficult. It's not the ideal scenario but at least we can prepare something.
There's so much at stake in Champions League football, the stakes are so high so that does make it more difficult for players to recover both physically and mentally in time for Saturday?
Yes. It's really difficult clearly, especially if you play at the high tempo and the pace of the game like the other day. It's not easy and we will need to check each player but at least we have a good squad.
Can the players be in top condition for this game?
It depends on each one. No, I don't think they will be ready for the game on Saturday and then the game on Tuesday. I think it will almost be impossible but it depends on each player.
I think Arsene Wenger has said it's a survival of the fittest at the moment. Is that true?
We were a little bit tired but they were also tired so everybody must be fit. That is the key and the players have quality so the priority now is to keep the players as fit as possible.
So what sort of game can we expect on Saturday and will it be similar to what we saw the other night?
Yes, more or less. At home especially they will attack so it could be similar.
Is there more pressure on Arsenal than Liverpool with them still going for the title?
I don't like to talk about pressure but it's clear they need to win if they want to be closer to the top of the table, and for us it's important to ensure we finish in the top four. But at least we are five points ahead of Everton so if we make any mistakes we will have more games, and if they make a mistake I don't think that Manchester United and Chelsea will make many mistakes.
I'm sure you expect Everton to beat Derby on Sunday so are you conscious of the need to try and avoid the gap being cut to two points?
Yes. For us this is an important game because as soon as you can win and make sure we are in the top four then it will be easier to concentrate if we can progress in the Champions League. I think it's important to win every game.
Will we see changes this weekend then?
Yes. Normally we would need to change some players. We don't know exactly now how many but we have some problems with injuries and some players are really tired. We need to decide, check each one and maybe we will change some players.
Despite the great result on Wednesday I'm sure you will remember the game at the Emirates last season in the Premier League. Are you keen to make amends for that on Saturday?
If we are concentrated as we were the other day then I think it could be a good game for us. Always it's difficult to play at the Emirates but we now have experience and we can do important things.
We are right in the middle of a number of high profile games. How much are you enjoying the challenge as a manager at the moment?
I like to play these kind of games because it means we are playing for something and trophies so I think it's important for a manager to be happy with this situation.
After beating Everton and getting a draw at Arsenal do you think your players are in the right form at the right time?
I think so. The understanding between some players is good and the physical condition is also good.
You've talked about tiredness but are there any injuries ahead of this game?
Not really. It's just a case of just to check and it depends on each player. Some of them can play with problems and some need to rest.
RAFA ON ARSENAL, KUYT AND TEAM SELECTION
