Bad day for Benitez
23 Oct 2006 - 07:47:34
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez described the 2-0 defeat at Manchester United as one of his most disappointing results as a manager.
The loss leaves the Reds 11 points behind both United and Chelsea and facing an early end to their hops of a title charge.
Benitez said: "It is clearly one of my most disappointing days as manager of the club.
"It is a game I know everybody at the club and the supporters wants us to win, particularly at Old Trafford.
"I felt we started the game well but we didn't create enough. We had some chances and good possession, but we could not create clear openings.
"Things were okay until we conceded the first goal. That changed the game for both sides.
"We needed to go forward, the game was more open and with their quality it became more difficult for us.
"Away from home we need to win to improve confidence. We are controlling long spells of games, getting the ball into danger areas, but not causing defences problems.
"We lost Craig Bellamy with a calf injury in the final training session and his pace and running would have been a major influence on what we were doing.
"I know we are 11 points behind, but I cannot change that now. To improve we must work hard and concentrate on the next game."