Source: Liverpool_Echo
Rafa Benitez: Liverpool FC need to cure awayday blues at Birmingham to win Champions League chase
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez knows his side have to find an immediate cure for their travel sickness if dreams of Champions League qualification are to be realised.[LNB]The Reds have the worst away record of any of the top nine clubs in the Barclays Premier League, having not won on an opponent's ground in six matches and taken just 14 points from 16 games on the road.[LNB]Their previous worst league run came between August and November in 2006 when they failed to win in seven.[LNB]But the problem extends further than that, and since beating Everton at Goodison Park at the end of November, taking into account all competitions, Liverpool have won just twice in 13 away fixtures - and that includes victory over Europa League minnows Unirea Urziceni in Romania.[LNB]So a trip to Birmingham tomorrow does not exactly promise an end to their troubles.[LNB]Alex McLeish's side are unbeaten in their last 12 games at St Andrew's, their longest unbeaten run in the top-flight since a 14-match streak from November 1973 to April 1974.[LNB]'We know we have to improve away from home and we have a chance on Sunday so we will try to do our best and get three points,' said Benitez.[LNB]'There are two or three things we can improve but at the end of the day it is not easy now.[LNB]'The team is doing well and we have more confidence and if the key players keep performing the rest of the players will be there and we will be better.[LNB]'It will be another tough game. The Premier League is always difficult so we have to move on and bring players back quickly and be ready.[LNB]'Birmingham have done a very good job and are in a good position.'[LNB]A Sunday kick-off means all of Liverpool's rivals will have played by the time they take to the pitch.[LNB]'Our idea is to get three points - it doesn't matter what the other teams do,' said Benitez.[LNB]'There are still a lot of points to play for and we have to do our job and not worry about the other teams.'
