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Rafa refuses to recognise low
Manager now looking ahead to Everton after European shock
Last updated: 25th November 2009 
I am 100 per cent sure we will finish in the top four. The team will play well when all the players are available so I am sure we will finish in the top four.
Rafa Benitez
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Rafa Benitez has refused to label elimination from the UEFA Champions League at the group stages as the worst moment of his Liverpool career and is convinced the team will finish in the top four in the Premier League.
The Reds fell out of the competition on Tuesday as a 1-0 win at Debrecen, courtesy of David Ngog's goal, proved irrelevant when Fiorentina defeated Lyon to progress from Group E.
Liverpool are still to host Fiorentina, but they will do so knowing they are set to participate in the Europa League after failing to reach the superior Champions League last 16 for the first time in Benitez's era, which began in 2004.
The Spaniard guided the club to a fifth European Cup in his debut season, but this campaign has been shrouded in the disappointment of Premier League struggles and therefore the continental failure comes as a latest setback.
Benitez, though, does not want to label the Champions League elimination as a low, telling Sky Sports 2 when questioned on the subject: "That is football.
"When you are in the Champions League for five seasons in a row and you can't progress, it is part of the game.
"Now we have to win against Fiorentina, try to do well and get as high as possible and we will see what happens in the Europa League."
Long-term prospects
The former Valencia boss was also keen to commend his players ahead of the weekend's Merseyside derby with Everton, adding: "We had to do our job today. Our job was to win and we won but we couldn't control the other game.
"To win today was the only thing we could do and we played well, with four or five clear chances.
"The main thing is to be ready for the next match, we have an important game on Sunday."
Benitez is also confident regarding the long-term prospects of his side, who were without the injured Fernando Torres in Hungary, and their chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League.
"I am 100 per cent sure we will finish in the (Premier League's) top four. The team will play well when all the players are available so I am sure we will finish in the top four," he said.
He added: "We have a good squad but we have had too many problems, too many injuries at the same time."
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Comments (23)
Mark Blandford (Liverpool fan) says...
Most of these comments are ridiculous! Please, Rafa is going no where. Please name me any team that would do well when they are missing 11 first-team players, including the most expensive and influential players in the squad? To say too that we were playing badly at the start of the season when everyone was fit is just simply wrong. Did I imagine 6-straight wins and being the league's leading goal scorers? We are still building something with Rafa and to say that he hasn't bought well is a mistake (Reina, Agger, Skrtel, Johnson, Insua, Masch...the list goes on). Most of the players that Rafa has sold on, we have made a net profit on. Yes, there have been some flops but every team has their share of them. You can not compare this team to that of Arsenal either, Wenger has had over 10 years to develop the youth system etc. which is only in the past couple of years bore fruit. Liverpool's youth setup is progressing well (youth cup winners/finalists 2 years running, Reserve league winners last season...) with several young players on the verge of breaking through. The squad we have now is worth considerably more than what Rafa has spent. Thank God Liverpool aren't like most other teams and sake managers at the first (and it is the first) sign of trouble. There simply isn't a better person for the job. In Rafa we trust!
Posted 08:57 25th November 2009
Darren Gore (Liverpool fan) says...
It is only his idiotic statements of 'playing well' and having a belief that his team will do well that stop Rafa being a alternative version of the three wise monkeys rolled into one. He seems blind to his failings and deaf to criticism. He's taken Liverpool as far as he can and it's time for him to admit it's a job he just can't do.
Posted 08:48 25th November 2009
Stuart Cullimore (Liverpool fan) says...
Can't really expect to progress to the knockout stages every year. Everyone expected us to progress through this group so it goes to show that you cant just turn up and expect to beat teams in the Champions League. Fiorentina and Lyon deserved to progress, we didn't and I don't believe Rafa is to blame for that. And by the way I dont know what gives Millwall fans like Allan Thompson the right to comment on teams being average at best what a Millwall fan knows about football you could fit on the back of a postage stamp.
Posted 08:45 25th November 2009
Mike Saxton (Liverpool fan) says...
We won last night but the win was not convincing. The team selection was strange, two defensive midfielders and of course the bizarre subtitutions. Benitez needs to get a grip and stop the excuses. I have suported Liverpool for 54 years and it saddens me to see such a generally poor squad of players. It is time to get rid of the dross and this includes players, team management and the owners they are letting the fans down.
Posted 06:33 25th November 2009
Alan Lamb (Liverpool fan) says...
I am not surprised that we have gone out.We have been unable to see out results all season not just in the CL.I think now its time we faced facts. We have taken a major step backward this season and this in itself is a major concern.I cannot see an end to our poor results. How is Aquilani supposed to get match fit if only only gets 5 to 10 mins when he comes on (last night was 30 seconds.Rafa for god sake wake up. Get him some playing time or do you plan to use him like this all season????????????
Posted 06:30 25th November 2009
George Ho (Hoffenheim fan) says...
The Board of LFC should shoulder the blame. They shot their own foot by signing sure long contract with Rafa. After so many years of unable to win the EPL and examples of poor judgements in buying(players) and tactics they still offer him the contract. Hopefully there are clauses in the contract that Rafa won't get the full compensation if he is not able to fulfil certain objectives. If not, LFC would need to live with it. Top 4??? The season is still young but they may still loose more games and that's quite likely to happen.
Posted 05:33 25th November 2009
Jonathan Torpey (Chelsea fan) says...
To finish in the top 4 is all Liverpool have left this season, I think that will be a stretch given that City, Villa and Spurs are in the way and at least one of them will stay there. I seriously doubt Chelsea, Arsenal and Man.U will give up where they are. On current form Rafa should be more concerned right now about being overtaken in the league by Sunderland and Stoke, who are both, unlike Liverpool, playing well, and not where they are by accident. All teams suffer with injuries and suspensions, it is part and parcel of a full season in the Prem. Only squads that have quality in depth succeed at the top. Liverpool don't have that despite spending plenty of cash. Excuses only work for so long however Benitez will not get the sack simply because the club can't afford to fire him.
Posted 03:53 25th November 2009
Ron Li (Liverpool fan) says...
Depth of the squad is the key to the poor performance of Liverpool in ECL and Premier League. While you can see Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are still doing well in Man U, Liverpool got NO experienced midfielder on the bench who could change the game. I miss Kewell though he's injury prone.
Posted 02:44 25th November 2009
Axel Lim (Arsenal fan) says...
Lucas is the weakest link.... remove him and you will see improvement in passing... for a player at his level is not capable to hold such an important position...
Posted 02:08 25th November 2009
Timothy Ho (Manchester United fan) says...
What do we know, elimination from CL is not a disaster, next thing you will hear is being relegated is not a disaster. It was all supposed to be set up as Liverpool's year this year since they almost won it last year apparently. But now we're hearing the same thing from Rafa about challenging for 4th place instead of the title again but this time since Late October, not Christmas! His comments make me chuckle, apparently 'there wasn't anything you could do about results from other games' but what about the last 4 games? You have had 4 games to get yourself in a good position and yet again with his mediocre squad they achieve mediocrity. Well done Rafa
Posted 01:59 25th November 2009
Mahen Nagalingam (Manchester United fan) says...
Rafa got Liverpool eliminated..... FACT!
Posted 01:20 25th November 2009
Dave Macmillan (Manchester United fan) says...
Neil Pringle and Bob Smith. Totally valid comments from you both. I don't pretend to know all the financial problems at Liverpool but cannot fail to be aware that they are serious. Will it really take the sale of Torres to fund the sacking of Benitez? The structure that we all have to admire and that was built steadily from the sixties and dominated for many years is being eroded from within. Most of the players are pretty classy and under the tenure of a genuine top manager would perform better (although such a manager may not have bought all of them). I think Jamie Redknapp had a point, even if only so far as most top clubs would have made moves for change if the apparent lack of desire or acceptance of mediocrity had occured. I sympathise with Liverpool fans, banter is one thing but the reality is that failure to qualify for the CL next year could have serious long term repercussions - players leaving or refusing to join - and we could all be in danger of losing one of the main reasons we love football. Namely, Liverpool FC as challengers for all the main tournaments and keeping the rest of us on our toes! Stevie G without an EPL Champions medal is almost as surreal as Steve Bruce without an England cap. My best to genuine Liverpool fans from a genuine ManU fan.
Posted 01:01 25th November 2009
Andy Gyle (Liverpool fan) says...
Why is everyone commenting on the performance tonight? we won and its not the reason we are out, we are out bcus of the defeats to lyon at home and fiorentina away!!. Rafa is going anywhere purslow has came out and told everyone his job is safe, good decision? time will tell. I seen a spurs fan say torres is leaving in january he wont play in europa league lol. does that mean half your squad will be leaving in the summer lol when were spurs ever in champs league? mid-table pretenders.
Posted 01:00 25th November 2009
Chris Hardy (Liverpool fan) says...
Another mediocre performance that gives no hope to his 100% sure top 4 finish he needs to wake up and criticize people that deserve it and i think everyone can see that, the one up side of tonight though i feel is ngog is going to become a great striker and i hope it continues as were short of strikers when theres no torres
Posted 23:23 24th November 2009
Bob Smith (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
Kicked out the Champions League... No chance of winning the Premier League...Might not make it into the Champions League next season... Torres leaving in January (you really think he would play in Europa)... No Rafa I'm sure it;s your best day.
Posted 23:13 24th November 2009
Graceful Exit (Manchester United fan) says...
As a supporter of the English Premier League, I generally support all English clubs in the Champions League. I am a Man United fan, and I must say it is sad to see Liverpool out of the Champions League. But what I cannot understand or fathom is the fact that Rafa thinks he has built a good squad at Liverpool during his 5 year tenure to date. I don't think there has been a single season where he has had the luxury to be able to play a 'second' string side that would challenge the top teams in England. The lack of transfer funds is NOT an excuse. He has had more than enough money at his disposal, he just uses it really really badly. The signing of his tenure has got to be El Nino. Nobody else really comes close. Sure Xabi Alonso was good, but he only started to make an impact in the latter stages of his Liverpool career. Rafa needs to take a step back, understand that he may not have the funds at his disposal of say a Chelski or Man United even Spurs for that matter and look at building a squad around the 3 or 4 top performers he currently has available. RAFA you have no depth in your squad and it's time to stand up and take responsibility for that!!! If you are looking for a recipe for success on a tight budget... look no further than Arsene Wenger. The man is a magician at unearthing young talent that does not cost an arm and a leg. So too all you Liverpool fans out there, commiserations mate!!!!
Posted 23:09 24th November 2009
Adam Caldwell (Manchester United fan) says...
basically rafa is admitting the squad is useless! wat if all the players are never available all at once. hes supposed to get the best from watever players he has available. terrible manager, terrible team
Posted 23:06 24th November 2009
Paul Adams (Liverpool fan) says...
i think rafa is living in dream land, fall on your sword now rafa and let the board bring in the special one to turn our season around. DO YOU FANCY THE CHALLENGE JOSE????????
Posted 23:06 24th November 2009
Ry G (Liverpool fan) says...
Im sick and tired of hearing Rafa's same old excuses, he reminds me of when Houllier was coming to the end of his reign. He blames injuries but lets face it we were diabolical earlier on in the season when virtually everyone was fit. People will say look at how well we did in the league last season but lets face it we were punching above out weight and Man U and Chelsea were far from at their best for large parts of the 08/09 campaign. The guy has brought too bad many players and im bored stiff of his negative tactics. Its time to get rid of the owners, Rafa and dead wood such as Voronin, Lucas, Dossena and the rest because ive had enough of it all now!!!
Posted 23:04 24th November 2009
Neil Pringle (Manchester United fan) says...
No doubt there will be further calls for Benitez to go, but from an outsiders point of view it just is not going to happen. First and foremost, Liverpool cannot afford to sack him as they would have to compensate him for the remainder of his contract, which would cost them a cool £18-20m. Secondly, they are outside of the top four, but only by a few points. Every team goes through a bad spell each season, with most of the teams above them still to go through this. That is when Liverpool will pick up more points and climb the table. Despite what Jamie Carragher says, it is disasterous for Liverpool to be out of the Champions League so soon. From a financial stand point, Liverpool stand to lose considerably, something they can ill afford to do, which will no doubt impact on future transfer dealings. All in all I would say to Liverpool fans that all is not lost and not to jump down Rafa's throat looking for the most obvious scapegoat. A season is 9 or 10 months long, not 3 or 4, so there is a long way to go. Yes the chances of winning the title are slim to nil, but 3rd or 4th position is a very realistic option. Keep faith in Rafa.
Posted 23:02 24th November 2009