Source: Daily_Mail
We'll prove we are a great team, vows Rafa Benitez as Liverpool boss fights to save his future
Rafael Benitez came up with a bizarre way of underlining his loyalty to Liverpool yesterday - by reeling off all 11 names from Real Madrid's line-up at the 1981 European Cup final.[LNB] Asked whether he was concerned that defeat in Sunday's Goodison Park derby with Everton might turn some supporters against him, the 49-year old Spaniard launched into what sounded like a rant in his native tongue but turned out to be the Real side that lost 1-0 to Liverpool in the Parc des Princes, Paris.[LNB] As puzzled glances were exchanged at the club's Melwood training ground, he provided some clarity by explaining that not even a club whose past is ingrained in his memory could lure him away from Anfield.[LNB] Fighting to survive: Rafa Benitez is under severe pressure[LNB] HAVE YOUR SAY... Is Benitez the man to save Liverpool? Liverpool suffered a humiliating early exit from the Champions League on Tuesday night as their season goes from bad to worse. The Reds are already well off the pace in the race for the Barclays Premier League but the board insist he will not be sacked. Is Rafa the man to save the club, or should someone else be brought in? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK The Liverpool manager confirmed that Real had approached him in recentseasons with lucrative offers to take over at the Bernabeu but insistednothing would stop him seeing out his five-year deal.[LNB] He even hinted at signing an extension as he hit back at mounting criticism over a season that lurched to a new low when Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League on Tuesday night.[LNB] Benitez claimed recent observations about the race for Champions Leagueplaces were deliberately planted to increase the pressure on Liverpool.[LNB] 'When Real played Liverpool in the 1981 final, I was a player there, as well as a fan,' he said. 'That is why I remember the team so well, but it makes no difference to me now. Always I have been clear about my position here.[LNB] 'I have had years of receiving offers, listening to big clubs, top sides, offering me more money, but each time, I decided to stay here. I did that because I want the best for this club.[LNB] Down and out: Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League despite beating Debrecen[LNB]'I signed a five-year contract because of my commitment to the fans andthe club, the staff and the players. I told all these people I wantedto stay, and I meant it.[LNB] 'I will keep working hard and winning games for this club, and hopefully, in five years' time, we can be talking about an extension to my contract. I understand the fans. I understandif some of them are disappointed because we want to win. I decidedto stay here because of the fans.[LNB] 'I had massive offers from different clubs, but a lot of people have supported me here, and that made it easy to decide. Two or three wins in a row, and everything will be different.[LNB] 'And I am 100 per cent convinced that we will finish in the top four, at least the top four.' Everton counterpart David Moyes chose a more orthodox method of illustrating how he intends riding out the storm, after his side slipped to 14th with a 3-2 defeat at Hull on Wednesday. [LNB] Support: Liverpool fans have been loyal to boss Benitez[LNB]He stonewalled questions about his future in midweek but came out fighting yesterday, in response to rumours he may be considering his position.[LNB] 'Complete nonsense,' he said. 'I have worked seven-and-a-half years toget this club to where we are, and I will continue working hard. Wewill be fired up on Sunday, just as we should be for every game.[LNB] 'In the past, we have had that about us in every game. It has been one of our biggest strengths, our character, our spirit, our endeavour in all the games. I shouldn't even be talking about them because they should be a given.[LNB] 'I am responsible for signing the players, and they should all be shaking my hand and thanking me for asking them to join such a great club.[LNB] 'For some of them it might not get any better. So they should welcome the opportunity and make the most of it.'[LNB] Meanwhile, the former Everton manager Howard Kendall has told Liverpool and Everton players to forget their troubles and think about the fans ahead of the Merseyside derby. [LNB]'The fans are most important,' Kendall said. 'Some of them may not go into work on Monday morning because of the result and I don't think many of the foreign players understand that.' [LNB] Liverpool star Gerrard demands unity in fight to save Reds season from perilTHE FIRING LINE: Watch out Rafa Benitez! Find out who's safe and who's the next to go after Paul Hart's Portsmouth exitTwo tribes go to war: It's derby day in London, Liverpool and the MidlandsTorres: Liverpool must stick with Benitez and we will finish in top fourLIVERPOOL FC
