Rafa calls for response
15 Oct 2007 - 08:35:26
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has urged his players to use the example of rivals Manchester United and Arsenal in a bid to snap a recent poor run.
The Reds face Everton in a crunch Merseyside derby on Saturday looking to recapture the form which saw them top the Premier League table during the opening weeks of the campaign.
But after seeing his side win only one of their last four league games, the Spaniard has called on his players to adopt the mental strength of their main rivals in a bid to kick-start their title bid.
"Football is a sport of the group, so we win and lose as a team," he told the club's official website.
"I was really disappointed and angry after we lost to Marseille (in the Champions League), but being angry doesn't change anything.
"You have to analyse why we've played so bad some days and why we were so good at the beginning of the season.
"To play for Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger you need a special mentality and it's the same for us.
"At Liverpool players know they must have quality, must work hard and have a strong mentality. That's the only way to win trophies."
Meanwhile, Fernando Torres is an early doubt for the first Merseyside derby of the season.
The £20million striker was ruled out of Spain's Euro 2008 qualifying victory over Denmark at the weekend after reporting discomfort in his right thigh
Torres is also likely to miss Wednesday's international friendly against Finland.