Liverpool FC

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Senior stars earn Rafa's wrath

25 Aug 2009 - 07:58:43

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Fuming Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez blamed his senior players for Monday's shock 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Anfield.

Following their opening weekend setback at Tottenham, the Reds have now lost as many Premier League games as they did in the whole of last season, when they failed to secure the title.

Benitez admitted after the game that his side were not playing well and were making too many mistakes and demanded a much-improved performance in this weekend's clash against Bolton Wanderers.

He said: "In the first 20 minutes we created plenty of chances and played well. Then we conceded the own goal and started to make more mistakes.

"We have lost and we know we have to improve. I felt we had a chance when Fernando Torres scored, but the penalty finished it. It was a clear penalty.

"We now know that we have to go to Bolton on Saturday and win. Everything could change if we do that, our confidence will improve.

"We were not playing well, and we were up against a team who are excellent on the counter-attack.

"Their keeper (Brad Friedel) made some great saves, but when that happens we just have to make more chances.

"This squad is virtually the same as last season, so I believe it is good enough to mount a title challenge. But we must do more, we must win at Bolton.

"We will have to sit down and analyse every player now, and make sure we do the right things in our next match. But our senior players must take more responsibility."