RAFA BENITEZ has promised Liverpool’s supporters he is working overtime to turn their frustration into elation after insisting he is at Anfield for the long-haul.
The Reds’ manager has come in for huge criticism from certain sections of the media and come under fire from a minority of fans following a hugely disappointing run of two wins in 11 games.
Liverpool have fallen out of contention in the Premier League and have also made early exits from the Carling Cup and Champions League in that period but Benitez is adamant the situation will change.
He understands how much Anfield regulars are hurting at the minute but Benitez has promised he will not walk away, after revealing he has rebuffed several opportunities to go – including in the summer just gone.
“You cannot be a fan and be happy if your team is not winning,” said Benitez. “It has to be that way. You have to be disappointed. The only thing you can do is understand the reason why. I will not be making excuses, as we know that we have to improve.
“I think we can improve and that is the positive thing for me. The reaction of the players has been very positive. As a fan or anyone close to the club, of course you will be disappointed that you are not winning. That’s normal.
“But as a manager, you have to keep going, you have to keep working hard. That is the only way things will change. It’s not been easy for us to be at this level but I know that we will improve.
“When I decided to stay (last March), I wanted to fight for this club. I signed a five-year deal. Sometimes there are good moments, sometimes there are bad moments but still I will fight. If we win I will be happier. If we cannot, we will fight until we win.”
Several former Liverpool players have been quick to voice their displeasure about the way Benitez has handled things in recent months and knows the longer he goes without collecting another trophy, the more intense the criticism will become.
It is, of course, all part of the pressure that comes with being a high-profile Premier League manager but Benitez, whose side tackle Everton at Goodison tomorrow, is confident the tide will turn. That’s why he has no intention of seeking a job elsewhere, which will scupper any thoughts Real Madrid may have had about luring him to the Bernabeu – they have tried on several occasions – if their current coach Manuel Pelligrini is jettisoned.
“We have seen for years that Liverpool is a top side, a very successful side,” he said. “It is easy to talk and say ‘you have to win’. When I first arrived, everyone was so pleased. Just to improve was good. But we won the Champions League after 21 years.
“Now they talk about the Premier League. It is part of the situation. Maybe with Liverpool it is different. We couldn’t win the Premier League last year but Arsenal won, Chelsea won, Manchester United won, so it is just Liverpool the target.
“They (the critics) do not want other teams. We knew this. When I signed my new contract, I had offers for more money, bigger transfer budgets, more options to sign player. But I am here. I love the city, the club and I love the fans.”
by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
Sunday, November 29, 2009
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