Liverpool down and on their way out - but defiant Rafa Benitez remains hopeful of a miracle

05 November 2009 08:12
Rafa Benitez insisted his job was not under threat before calling for a miracle in the wake of another crushing setback in the Champions League. [LNB]A 1-1 draw here after an added-time equaliser by Lyon put the Liverpool manager under yet more pressure and left his side facing first-round elimination in a competition in which they have so excelled under the Spaniard.[LNB]Asked if his job was on the line, Benitez replied: 'No. I'm just thinking about the next game. It is going to be difficult but we are not out of this. We have to win our next game and then see what happens in the other game between Fiorentina and Lyon. But wehave performed miracles before and we have to do it again.'[LNB] Under pressure: But Benitez insists his position is safe at Anfield[LNB]Ryan Babel seemingly had secured the win Liverpool desperately needed with a stunning 83rd-minute goal but Lisandro Lopez scored an equaliser two minutes into second-half stoppage time.[LNB]Only if Lyon secure at least a draw in Florence will Liverpool still have a chance of progressing to the last 16, and even then they would have to follow victory against Debrecen later this month by beating Fiorentina by three clear goals.[LNB] False dawn: Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt congratulate Ryan Babel on on his fine strike[LNB]But Benitez remained positive. 'It is very simple,' he said. 'I just have to look at my players on the pitch and listen to the fans at the end of the game. [LNB]'They know how football can be. How sometimes you don't get the luck. I don't know if their goal was offside. But we had too many players in that area at a time when we were winning and we should have been trying to keep the ball. And if you do not have the ball, you need to be strong in the challenge.[LNB]'I am really disappointed because we had some great opportunities. But we still have a chance.' [LNB] Late blow: Lisandro Lopez scores past Pepe Reina to shatter Liverpool's dreams of victory[LNB]Lyon boss Claude Puel said his side would try to win in Florence despite qualifying last night. 'You do not need to worry,' he said. 'After what has happened to us in the past we want to win the group.'[LNB]  Martin Samuel: When Andriy Voronin's your only hope, Liverpool must know the game's upLyon 1 Liverpool 1: Rafa Benitez left to walk alone after last-gasp Lopez strikeLyon 1 Liverpool 1: The action as it happenedLIVERPOOL FC

Source: Daily_Mail