Rafa issues Reds apology
10 Jan 2007 - 07:51:54
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez issued an apology to Reds fans after his side suffered their heaviest home defeat in 77 years following a 6-3 Carling Cup quarter-final thrashing at the hands of Arsenal.
Benitez named an inexperienced line-up which succumbed to the Gunners for the second time in four days following Saturday's 3-1 FA Cup third round defeat.
Julio Baptista scored four as a similarly youthful Arsenal line-up ran riot in front of an unhappy Anfield faithful.
"It is a bad night for us and all we can say is sorry to the supporters," said the Spaniard.
"Now is not the time to point the finger or look to blame people. We win together and we lose together.
"We must forget about tonight as soon as possible and look ahead to Watford on Saturday and the Champions League.
"The problem was conceding four goals in the first half. When you are faced with a scoreline like that it is very difficult to manage the game.
"We needed an early goal in the second half but couldn't find it. When we did score Arsenal had the quality to keep the ball and make it difficult for us."