Rafa seeks silver lining to Liverpool's season with victory in Europa League

18 December 2009 17:40
Determined: Anfield chief Benitez[LNB]Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez sees the Europa League as a realistic opportunity to win silverware despite being handed a tough draw against Romanian champions Unirea Urziceni.   [LNB]Like the Reds the Romanians exited the Champions League group stages having finished third behind Sevilla and Stuttgart - and ahead of Rangers - and Benitez knows they will pose a threat.   [LNB]'For me it is too early [to talk about it] because we know we will play in February so we have plenty of time to prepare and learn about the other team,' said the Spaniard.   [LNB]'It will be tough. Unirea won the league in their country and were in a tough group with Sevilla and Stuttgart - I have some friends in Sevilla so maybe I'll be in touch with them.   [LNB]'But it is important to have an option to win any trophy. The Europa League is different to the Champions League but there are some good teams in it.   [LNB]'We have to progress if we can and then it is an opportunity to win a trophy and we will try to do it.'[LNB]  Liverpool, as an unseeded team after their poor Champions League display, will play the first leg at home on February 18 before travelling to Romania the following week. [LNB]'We would prefer to play the second game at home but we have to be ready. It will be interesting,' added Benitez.   [LNB]Should Liverpool get past Unirea they will play the winners of Lille v Fenerbahce in the last 16. [LNB]Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish, in Nyon for the draw, is not under-estimating Unirea.  [LNB] Key man: Fernando Torres will be crucial to Liverpool's bid to win a trophy[LNB]'I think they got eight points in their Champions League group which included Rangers, Sevilla and Stuttgart so that's a decent number of points,' HE SAID.[LNB]'Obviously there is plenty of coverage now, it's not as if you're going to get a team that won't have been on television so there's plenty of tape there for Rafa to have a look at. [LNB]'And also there's a phone call up the road to Walter Smith at Rangers, I'm sure he'll be happy to disclose any information he's got on them.   [LNB]'It will be a difficult game. They go on a break until March now but whether the rest helps them or hinders them remains to be seen.'[LNB] Flops Liverpool will take on Petrescu's Unirea Urziceni in the Europa LeagueVIDEO: Unhappy Benitez hungry to send fans home happy with lunchtime winALL THE WEEKEND BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM NEWS Italian job: United must beat Milan for the first time over two legs in EuropeRafa Benitez to start with Fernando Torres as Liverpool look to pile on the misery for rock-bottom PompeyLIVERPOOL FC

Source: Daily_Mail