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Benitez focuses on positives

10 Dec 2009 - 08:06:45

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Rafael Benitez shrugged off another Champions League defeat and insisted that Liverpool still have plenty of reason for optimism despite losing 2-1 to Fiorentina.

The Reds signed off a dismal Group E campaign with a last-gasp defeat to the Italian side at Anfield on Wednesday night.

But despite slipping to a third defeat from six group games this season and failing to reach the last 16 for the first time in seven years, Benitez claimed there were still positives to take from the game.

He cited the full debut of £20million summer signing Alberto Aquilani and return from injury of Fernando Torres as reasons for optimism.

He said "To see Aquilani, to see Torres, those were the real positive things for the next match and the rest of our season.

"Aquilani showed his quality, his touch was good. His vision and passing were good, but obviously he will have to work on his match fitness.

"Everyone is available for Sunday, if he trains well he could well be involved against Arsenal.

"We are still trying to see the positives, we are playing better and we must now must take that into a very important game.

"It is the beginning of a new season for us now, I hope."

Meanwhile, Benitez played down the importance of seedings after UEFA confirmed the Anfield club would not be seeded for the Europa League.

"We will not be seeded in the Europa League," conceded the Spaniard. "But we must cope with that and be strong to handle whatever comes our way now."