Source: Telegraph
Rafa Benitez remains positive despite Liverpool's league slip
The sense of frustration on the Kop, though, is growing. Top of the table at Christmas and with United wobbling, Rafael Benitez's side have blown their best chance in two decades. A startling run of form since November suggests there is no sign of the Old Trafford empire crumbling just yet.[LNB]But the Spaniard is focusing on the positives. "This year, we have improved," he said. "Before we were not the best against the top sides but now our record against them is good. That is positive. Now we must improve against the other teams. The players we have are good enough to do that.[LNB]"We can break the cycle. We have made some mistakes this season and we could be in a better position. We had confidence that we could be closer at the top of the table this season. Now we have to finish as high as possible and progress in the Champions League.[LNB]"The weekend was very disappointing because we knew we could not lose or draw any more games if we wanted to fight for the title. But still we are in a better position than in the last years and we can get better."[LNB]Liverpool are certainly closer to finally ending that wait than they have been at any other time under Benitez's tenure, but while their first XI are a match for United, the depth of their squad pales in comparison.[LNB]For tonight's visit of Sunderland, for example, the injured Fernando Torres – a doubt for next week's Champions League tie with Real Madrid – will be replaced by Dirk Kuyt, now a right winger, or the young Frenchman David N'Gog. If the Spaniard signs his four-year contract extension – a date for a meeting with the club's owners will be set in the next few days – he can expect a busy summer.[LNB]Rafa the wheeler-dealer will again be forced to bolster his squad on the cheap, whereas United's revenues guarantee them the cream. When both Benitez and Ferguson went for young Brazilian midfielders, the former spent £6 million on Lucas, while the latter splashed £18 million on Anderson.[LNB]Ferguson was yesterday linked with the Bayern Munich and France winger Franck Ribery. Benitez is thought to be targeting Diogo, Olympiakos' Brazilian striker, who has just one Greek season under his belt. Measured on balance sheets alone, the gap this time next year should be even larger.[LNB]Benitez said: "I have said before that we must do things sooner rather than later. We have to approach players very quickly and maybe you have a chance to sign them if you have enough money.[LNB]"Or you can go for players who maybe wouldn't get chances if they went to another side, but who can come to a top side like us and play important games and fight for important trophies.[LNB]"We have been working for years monitoring players. We have a lot of information and we know exactly when we can do it. At the moment, though, it is too soon. We will think about the future at the end of the season. For now, we will think about improving the players we already have." [LNB]
