Source: Daily_Mail
Rafa's talking himself into a Real mess on the eve of Madrid test
Rafa Benitez still has career choices to mull over, but the prospect of taking over at Real Madrid looked to be disappearing into the distance last night after more evidence that the strain might be telling on Liverpool's[LNB]under-pressure manager. [LNB]Eyebrows are still being raised over the post-Christmas rant against Sir Alex Ferguson that coincided with a comfortable lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League degenerating into a seven-point deficit behind Manchester United[LNB]. [LNB]Others argue that United's supremacy has been most instrumental in the change of leadership, but no one can dispute that Benitez's unprompted outburst was ill-timed and ill-advised. [LNB][LNB] Talking point: The strain starts to show on under-pressure Liverpool boss Benitez [LNB]The decline that followed has cost him popularity among Anfield regulars and increased speculation about his future, particularly given his continuing refusal to accept a new contract on anything other than his terms. [LNB]The conjecture predictably gathered pace as he touched down in his home city and headed for a tea-time press conference at the Bernabeu, scene of his formative years as youth coach, then B team boss of the club he has always supported. [LNB]If Juande Ramos's nine-match winning run in the Bernabeu hot seat took some of the intensity out of it, Benitez himself might just have said enough to put the issue to rest once and for all.[LNB] 'Overlooked' Torres desperate to reign in Spain with Liverpool[LNB]High five! Real Madrid chief Boluda forecasts hammering Liverpool [LNB]Real Madrid v LIVERPOOL: Alonso available for Reds boss Rafa [LNB]LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB] [LNB]They are not renowned for accepting excuses at Real and it hardly portrayed Benitez in the right light when he reflected on Liverpool's faltering title push and claimed he was being made to carry the can for two decades of failure in the league. [LNB] Stevie a starter? Benitez will assess Gerrard's fitness before opting to start him against Madrid [LNB] There were shades of Gerard Houllier towards the end of his Anfield tenure as he said: 'Because we were champions of Europe a few years ago, it has become more important for everyone connected to the club that we win the Premier League. There are some people who would like to blame me for the fact we haven't won it for 19 years.' [LNB]Dealing with pressure is all-important for any Bernabeu boss and it scarcely counted as another box ticked when the 48-year-old Spaniard condemned the growing demand for instant success. [LNB]He was actually referring to the deadlock over his own contract but the sentiment applied to Real just as much as he reiterated his view that managers need time to impose their beliefs and build a winning team. [LNB]'This is an important time for us as a club and has nothing to do with my contract,' he said. [LNB]'That is what I am concentrating on and I don't go along with the suggestion that it might have some bearing on my future. You have to analyse a manager and make a judgment on his worth over a long period of time, not just one or two games. If you are going to make your mind up on the evidence of a couple of games, then it is not the best of situations.' [LNB]There is a growing sense that Benitez's stance towards chief executive Rick Parry may be softening and that he could be on the brink of finally signing a new four-and-a-half-year deal, though Manchester City[LNB]remain keenly interested in the ongoing stand-off. [LNB]Clearly, the next few weeks will prove critical to the outcome, though Benitez at least tried to present an air of calm as he took his seat before banks of flashing cameras at Real's enormous media theatre and, to the consternation of the interpreter alongside him, proceeded to answer questions in English and Spanish.[LNB] Onwards and upwards: Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher prepare for Real [LNB] [LNB]After smiling towards the translator and asking how he was doing, Benitez opened up on his return to familiar territory, and said: 'I am trying to treat this like any other game and maintain a professional front, because all that matters is preparing my team the best I can. [LNB]'But I have lots of happy memories of this place and it is good to be back. It is the same doorman as when I was last here and there are many familiar, friendly faces I remember so well, even among the Spanish press corps. [LNB]HOW THEY LINE UP REAL MADRID (4-2-3-1): Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze; Diarra, Gago; Robben, Raul, Sneijder; Higuain.[LNB]LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio; Mascherano, Alonso; Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera; Torres.[LNB]Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy).TV: Sky Sports 2 from 7.30pm (kick-off 7.45). [LNB] 'They are all people I look back on with fondness, but there is a job to be done tomorrow night and that is all that really matters. I just want to win for Liverpool and myself, and I don't feel I have to prove myself to anyone because I have been here before and done well. [LNB]'Would I take the Real job if they offered it me? They have 11 very good players, so I have to focus on coping with that.' [LNB]Benitez, who will decide whether to name Steven Gerrard in his starting line-up after assessing his fitness in training, laughed off Real president Vicente Boluda's outrageous claim that his side would win both legs and breeze through 5-1 on aggregate. [LNB]'We will just have to do our best and hope it doesn't happen,' he smiled.[LNB] 'Overlooked' Torres desperate to reign in Spain with Liverpool[LNB]High five! Real Madrid chief Boluda forecasts hammering Liverpool [LNB]Real Madrid v LIVERPOOL: Alonso available for Reds boss Rafa [LNB]LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]
