Benitez admits to struggles
19 Jan 2008 - 11:08:54
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has admitted that recent off-field events at the club have affected himself and his players, but he insists he is fully committed to the Reds cause.
Benitez's well-publicised disagreements with the club's co-owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, have dominated the headlines recently, reaching a head last week as Hicks admitted to having talks with Jurgen Klinsmann about taking over from the Spaniard.
However, Benitez insists he is fully focused on the job in hand and was buoyed by the 5-0 midweek FA Cup third round win over Luton Town.
He said: "The team needs to talk on the pitch and it is important for me to do the best for my club also.
"You cannot say that things off the pitch do not affect people, it is really difficult. It has been going on for a couple of months and all you hear on TV, radio and see in the papers is this situation.
"The players know what is going on and I have some experience in football of similar things. We must concentrate, win games and keep going.
"It has certainly been different this season to the previous seasons I have had here.
"But I am not finding it difficult to prepare for a game, I am trying to prepare for a game properly.
"I do not think the players are affected too much by things off the pitch, they are focused and they know we want to be as high as possible in the Premier League.
"I have a responsibility, especially now. That responsibility is to do the best for my club, to work hard and prepare well for every training session and every game."