Feels like its been ages since we played our last game!! Obviously there has been lots of talk about the new stadium and players being linked and us signing some youngsters which has kept us entertained but now back to the serious buisness of the Prem and picking up 3 much needed points (to finish 3rd) before we break for internationals again 
Anyways here's what Rafa has had to say....
Beware the Euro peril
Mar 16 2007
by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
WITH another Champions League quarter-final on the horizon, there’s a danger the Premiership campaign could descend into a pit of insignificance for Liverpool between now and May.
If the experience of two years ago is anything to go by, league form can too easily be sacrificed for European glory.
Once they had played the first leg of their quarter-final with Bayer Leverkusen in April 2005, Liverpool won just four of their remaining 11 Premiership fixtures, claiming a meagre 15 from a possible 33 points.
It was an inauspicious climax to the campaign which cost the club the fourth Champions League spot, ensuring they needed an Istanbul miracle and a UEFA lobbying drive to defend their title.
Rafa Benitez is aware of the perils of allowing focus to be lost when a league campaign nears the final straight and minds drift to high profile European ties.
However, he’s sure his squad is more ably equipped to deal with the duel priorities.
“When you get so far in the Champions League, it can be difficult for players and supporters not to think about this. But everyone must be clear Aston Villa is a really important game for us,” said Benitez.
“There is an international break after this, and then straight away we’ll be back into the Champions League. We want to go into the break with confidence and in a good league position.
“The last time we were at this stage in both competitions we didn’t have the same quality in the whole squad. We can be strong in the Premiership and the Champions League now so I have more confidence this time.
“We have the players to manage with both competitions.
“We have done well to get to the quarter-final of the Champions League, but we also know how important it is to stay in the top four.
“We have worked hard all season to get into a top four position at this stage and now we will remain focused on staying there.
“There are a lot of important Premiership games to come. For me, finishing in the top four is still the first priority.
“Progression in the Champions League is also a target, but when you start every season you know it is really important to be as close as possible to the top of the table at the end. We still have a lot to play for.
“We know it will be difficult for us to catch Chelsea into second now, but there are a lot of games to play and we must do everything to be certain of being in the top four.
“We know everything changed when it comes to how much we could achieve in the Premiership this season when we lost to Manchester United.
“Had we won that game, we thought we could still get closer.
“Now, the target must change. There are teams near us like Bolton, so we must be sure we stay ahead of these teams in the top four and try to win every game we play, starting at Aston Villa.”
As ever during the latter part of a campaign, some players have more to play for than others.
Futures are at stake, with those nearing the end of their contract particularly eager for an opportunity to earn fresh terms.
Robbie Fowler, Bolo Zenden and Jerzy Dudek find themselves in Bosman territory, and while the Pole is certain to take advantage of this, both Fowler and Zenden will be craving a longer stay on Merseyside.
Benitez believes the added motivation should work to the team’s advantage.
“At every club where players are able to agree Bosman deals in the summer, it’s the same,” he said. “I wouldn’t be able to understand any player who decided he wouldn’t keep working hard in every training session just because he knew his contract ended on June 30.
“Even if you are nearing the end of your contract, as a player you can’t think you don’t need to keep working.
“It shouldn’t matter if you have six months of a contract, one year, two years or three years, the attitude must always be the same.
“Of course, it’s not always easy with agents talking to other clubs. Mentally, it can be more difficult for them, but I’m sure the players we have here who are coming near the end of their contract will continue to do their best.
“They always need to be ready. Even if they have only one or two more opportunities, they must show us they have the quality to continue playing.
“Each player’s situation will be assessed differently. They all recognise the position and they’re all good professionals, but I have not set dates when to speak to them. For now, all they know is they must be ready to play every time.”
Fowler could be handed another chance on Sunday, as Peter Crouch continues his recovery from a broken nose.
Apart from long term absentees such as Luis Garcia and Harry Kewell, the only other new injury involves highly rated teenager Francis Duran, who must undergo cruciate knee surgery, keeping him out for six months.
“It’s a pity because he was showing a lot of promise,” said Benitez.
After a week in which the boss sought clarification on the future of the club, the arrival of some football has reminded the boss that the present is equally significant.
He added: “You must always think about what you can do to improve in the future.
“But at this very moment the focus should also be on where we are now, and what we can still achieve this season in both the Premiership and the Champions League.”
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0...name_page.html
Anyways here's what Rafa has had to say....Beware the Euro peril
Mar 16 2007
by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
WITH another Champions League quarter-final on the horizon, there’s a danger the Premiership campaign could descend into a pit of insignificance for Liverpool between now and May.
If the experience of two years ago is anything to go by, league form can too easily be sacrificed for European glory.
Once they had played the first leg of their quarter-final with Bayer Leverkusen in April 2005, Liverpool won just four of their remaining 11 Premiership fixtures, claiming a meagre 15 from a possible 33 points.
It was an inauspicious climax to the campaign which cost the club the fourth Champions League spot, ensuring they needed an Istanbul miracle and a UEFA lobbying drive to defend their title.
Rafa Benitez is aware of the perils of allowing focus to be lost when a league campaign nears the final straight and minds drift to high profile European ties.
However, he’s sure his squad is more ably equipped to deal with the duel priorities.
“When you get so far in the Champions League, it can be difficult for players and supporters not to think about this. But everyone must be clear Aston Villa is a really important game for us,” said Benitez.
“There is an international break after this, and then straight away we’ll be back into the Champions League. We want to go into the break with confidence and in a good league position.
“The last time we were at this stage in both competitions we didn’t have the same quality in the whole squad. We can be strong in the Premiership and the Champions League now so I have more confidence this time.
“We have the players to manage with both competitions.
“We have done well to get to the quarter-final of the Champions League, but we also know how important it is to stay in the top four.
“We have worked hard all season to get into a top four position at this stage and now we will remain focused on staying there.
“There are a lot of important Premiership games to come. For me, finishing in the top four is still the first priority.
“Progression in the Champions League is also a target, but when you start every season you know it is really important to be as close as possible to the top of the table at the end. We still have a lot to play for.
“We know it will be difficult for us to catch Chelsea into second now, but there are a lot of games to play and we must do everything to be certain of being in the top four.
“We know everything changed when it comes to how much we could achieve in the Premiership this season when we lost to Manchester United.
“Had we won that game, we thought we could still get closer.
“Now, the target must change. There are teams near us like Bolton, so we must be sure we stay ahead of these teams in the top four and try to win every game we play, starting at Aston Villa.”
As ever during the latter part of a campaign, some players have more to play for than others.
Futures are at stake, with those nearing the end of their contract particularly eager for an opportunity to earn fresh terms.
Robbie Fowler, Bolo Zenden and Jerzy Dudek find themselves in Bosman territory, and while the Pole is certain to take advantage of this, both Fowler and Zenden will be craving a longer stay on Merseyside.
Benitez believes the added motivation should work to the team’s advantage.
“At every club where players are able to agree Bosman deals in the summer, it’s the same,” he said. “I wouldn’t be able to understand any player who decided he wouldn’t keep working hard in every training session just because he knew his contract ended on June 30.
“Even if you are nearing the end of your contract, as a player you can’t think you don’t need to keep working.
“It shouldn’t matter if you have six months of a contract, one year, two years or three years, the attitude must always be the same.
“Of course, it’s not always easy with agents talking to other clubs. Mentally, it can be more difficult for them, but I’m sure the players we have here who are coming near the end of their contract will continue to do their best.
“They always need to be ready. Even if they have only one or two more opportunities, they must show us they have the quality to continue playing.
“Each player’s situation will be assessed differently. They all recognise the position and they’re all good professionals, but I have not set dates when to speak to them. For now, all they know is they must be ready to play every time.”
Fowler could be handed another chance on Sunday, as Peter Crouch continues his recovery from a broken nose.
Apart from long term absentees such as Luis Garcia and Harry Kewell, the only other new injury involves highly rated teenager Francis Duran, who must undergo cruciate knee surgery, keeping him out for six months.
“It’s a pity because he was showing a lot of promise,” said Benitez.
After a week in which the boss sought clarification on the future of the club, the arrival of some football has reminded the boss that the present is equally significant.
He added: “You must always think about what you can do to improve in the future.
“But at this very moment the focus should also be on where we are now, and what we can still achieve this season in both the Premiership and the Champions League.”
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0...name_page.html
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