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Benitez seeking miracle
Reds boss hopes his side can pull off another European miracle escape
Last updated: 5th November 2009 
Benitez: Seeking miracle
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Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez remained defiant after Lisandro Lopez's dramatic late goal left the Reds on the brink of elimination from the UEFA Champions League.
Benitez's side appeared to be heading towards a vital victory over Lyon in Group E when Ryan Babel climbed off the bench to net a stunning goal seven minutes from time.
But Lisandro struck in the final minute to earn Lyon an unlikely point and secure their passage into the last 16, while Liverpool could now be knocked out if Fiorentina beat the French side next time out.
But Benitez remained positive after the draw, hailing the performance of his side, if not the result.
He told Sky Sports: "With all the problems that we have, I think that the reaction of the players was very, very positive.
"We could win, we had chances, we were working hard against a good team and we conceded in the last minute.
Really disappointed
"So really unlucky, really disappointed but I think the players were doing well."
He added: "We are working so hard, it's a pity at the end. But football is very strange and sometimes you don't have what you deserve.
"But any way, I was pleased for the players because their reaction was good with a lot of difficult situations but really disappointed for the result, not for the performance of the players."
Benitez does not think Liverpool's chances are over, but he conceded his team needed to do 'another miracle'.
"Okay, we have to win now and we have to go to the next game and wait for the result between Lyon and Fiorentina and see if we can win and go to the last game and try to do another miracle."
He added: "I think it will be difficult but still we are alive so we have to keep going."
Keep going
Benitez added his side had to keep going even if they were knocked out of the Champions League.
"If it is not, we have to keep going because it is always the same in football, we have to keep going after one game there is another one."
He also maintained he was still the right man to lead the Reds.
"Always any manager has to be under pressure so I feel it is a question of to be calm and keep going," added Benitez.
"I feel that today the team was again a little bit better and that is a positive message for me."
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Comments (12)
Sean Sheibani (Liverpool fan) says...
Any professional player has to play at their best at all time,you cant leave your faith on just a 2 players all the time,you can just hope&have faith to win the game you have to have a game plan and be ready at all times,we need change we need it soon,last night just showed when you have a chance to score you better score and not miss it or they score on you,how many chances did voronin&kuyt had,and no result, time for 5-6 changes to start Voronin then Lucas then Masch then kyriagos and last one carragher hate to say it but i think hes days r numbered.
Posted 14:54 5th November 2009
Duncan Gibson (Manchester City fan) says...
As all proper Liverpool fans know Benitez has to go he¿s had 5 years to build a squad and you look when you get one or two are out, the players that come are poor and only good for one thing and that¿s not Liverpool they should have a squad that can compete with anyone in the world not just at home some of them would struggle to make an impact in the championship. It¿s time you saw the bigger picture and said buy buy Rafa!!!!
Posted 14:49 5th November 2009
Trevor Beech (Liverpool fan) says...
im a big liverpool fan we were very unlucky not to win last nite but as always the team will carry on and not give up or moan and the fans are behind the team and the manager rafa hes done a lot for are club were just having a bad spell but we will come back were a strong club the team and the fans ,once a red always a red come on lads you can do it
Posted 13:54 5th November 2009
Drew Strachan (Liverpool fan) says...
I really feel for the Liverpool fans. Liverpool depend on 2 players - Torres and Gerrard and if they are not available and fully fit then they play like a relegation club - even a club facing relegation can occassionally rasie their game to beat Man U but that will not win titles and neither will hard work alone. And as for Rafa's signings. Vorinin and Lucas and that defender they bought from Rangers - absolute rubbish, Keane couldn't deliver the goods. Playing Voranin and Lucas is like allowing the opposition to play with at least one extra man - get shot of them both.
Posted 08:45 5th November 2009
Kevin Kane (Liverpool fan) says...
"We could win, we had chances, we were working hard against a good team and we conceded in the last minute." Voronin missed a one on one with the Keeper and offered nothing to the game and we conceded in the last minute because Kyrgiakos switched off (wasn't the 1st time in the match). Two mediocre players at best which Rafa has bought and cost us the game. They are a disgrace to the red jersey.
Posted 08:37 5th November 2009
Steven Bedford (Bury fan) says...
What problems do Liverpool have? Other than the FACT that Benitez is not a very good manager. They have struggled in all four of their Champions League games this season, so it is no surprise that they are facing elimination is it? If a team is that reliant on one or two players then they are really going to be in trouble.
Posted 08:31 5th November 2009
Drew Strachan (Liverpool fan) says...
I really feel for the Liverpool fans. Liverpool depend on 2 players - Torres and Gerrard and if they are not available and fully fit then they play like a relegation club - even a club facing relegation can occassionally rasie their game to beat Man U but that will not win titles and neither will hard work alone. And as for Rafa's signings. Vorinin and Lucas and that defender they bought from Rangers - absolute rubbish, Keane couldn't deliver the goods. Playing Voranin and Lucas is like allowing the opposition to play with at least one extra man - get shot of them both.
Posted 08:29 5th November 2009
Austin Space (Liverpool fan) says...
Lots of spirit from Liverpool last night, but that's not always enough at that level of football. Insua and Kuyt are valued players, but they are having a 'difficult' season. I hope that Voronin never gets picked again - he's not good enough, full stop; and I sincerely hope that our injured defenders return soon ... Kyrgiakos looks very shaky whenever anyone runs at him, and Carragher clearly isn't happy at full back. On the plus side - Lucas and Mascherano dominated the midfield and Babel looked like he'd been pumped full of adrenalin. Keep the faith reds fans - the 'fat lady' isn't even warming up yet!!
Posted 08:28 5th November 2009
Dean Nurse (Liverpool fan) says...
Unlucky liverpool. Come on Ryan its time to build on your briliant goal!! I have faith in you.
Posted 08:24 5th November 2009
Dave Ellis (Manchester United fan) says...
Liverpool raised their game and should have won but again failed to take their chances, you cant say you were unlucky when this happens, Liverpool should have put this game to bed in the first half but failed to do so, on their day Liverpool as we all see can give any team a run for their money and are capable of beating any team but being realistic are still four or five class players short of challenging for the Premier League, the Chairman if they want success and are backing Benitez should make money available for him in the ttransfer window, if they dont then it shows they dont have the drive for success that the Liverpool faithful strive for.
Posted 08:19 5th November 2009
John Earwaker (Liverpool fan) says...
In retrospect it was not this result which has caused the problem for Liverpool's qualification, but likely the first game at home against Debrecen. It is all really out of their hands in the next round and they have to hope that Lyon do them a favour and defeat Fiornetina, to set it up with them in the final game. The odds are not good and it looks as if we are looking at the Europa competition, perhaps not a bad thing this season. Benitez is right in his overall assessment of the Lyon game, although I should imagine that he will be fuming at the inability of certain players to score when presented with good opportunities. Yes, let's get on to Birmingham at the weekend, but the worries are still present and come the January transfer window need to be addressed.
Posted 08:18 5th November 2009
Han ted Ngui (Liverpool fan) says...
Rafa, keep up all the good works and the Reds fans will always behind you thru good and bad and You'll Never Walk Alone. To all the Reds squad, do not give up as we are the miracle team that always pull thru even if we looked like no chance at all.
Posted 08:10 5th November 2009