Source: SKY_Sports
Rafa - Cups not everything
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Rafa Benitez knows silverware is essential for Liverpool, but insists that is not the only yardstick on which he should be judged.[LNB] The Spaniard is facing ever-increasing pressure at Anfield in the wake of a run of four successive defeats which has put their Premier League and UEFA Champions League ambitions under threat.[LNB]Back-to-back defeats at the hands of Fiorentina and Lyon in Europe leaves the Reds third in Group E and facing an uphill struggle to reach the knockout stages of the competition they won in 2005.[LNB]And Premier League setbacks away to Chelsea and Sunderland have seen the Anfield outfit slide to eighth in the table ahead of Sunday's clash at home to leaders Manchester United, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1.[LNB]Defeat on Merseyside at the hands of their bitter North West rivals would leave the Reds 10 points adrift after the opening 10 games of the season.[LNB]And while Benitez knows he is expected to add to the Reds' trophy haul, he feels establishing the Reds as a regular challenger for honours should also be recognised.[LNB]Not fairHe said: "This club has to win trophies. That is clear. [LNB]"But it's not fair to judge us simply on silverware when you consider we got to the Champions League final in Athens two years ago and then finished second in the league with 86 points last season.[LNB]"We broke our Premier League points record (last season). Some people will still say 'oh, no trophies'. We got to Athens, but people may still say 'oh, no trophies'.[LNB]"You cannot put Liverpool in the same category as some of the other clubs that have not been winning trophies in that time.[LNB]"When you are up near the top of the table and reaching the final of the Champions League, maybe it's not as bad as some people may think. If you want to win things you first have to have a good team and then be consistent."[LNB]
