Liverpool is a city of fighters, and that is what I will do. So I'll fight.. maybe for 10 years!
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE Liverpool v Sunderland, today, Kick-off 5.15pm BENITEZ CRISIS BATTLE-CRY
David Maddock 02/02/2008
Rafael Benitez insisted last night he will lead from the front as he demanded character to end Liverpool 's depressing fall from grace.
The Anfield boss believes any change must start with him, as he looks for the win he believes will re-ignite a desperately disappointing campaign.
Liverpool have not won in the Premier League for five matches, and the Spanish coach admitted that the underperforming aristocrats have a duty to their fans to end such a dismal run.
His team have taken just four points from their last 15, and since early December, 10 points from 27. Over the same period, leaders Manchester United have accumulated 27 points from a possible 30.
That, Benitez knows, is nowhere near good enough, and last night he stood up and accepted the blame.
"It starts with me, I know that. How can a side improve if their manager isn't positive? If the manager's head is down, he can not see anything," he said.
"Liverpool's history is as a city of fighters, and that is what I will do, fight. I will fight on for as long as I can - maybe for 10 more years!
"It is time to show character now, but not just for the players.
The staff have to take responsibility and give our supporters what they deserve, just as much as the players."
Liverpool entertain Sunderland today in a game Benitez knows is a must-win if he is not to be engulfed in a full-blown crisis at Anfield.
And he knows too the time for analysis and tactical tinkering is over, because instead, good old-fashioned bottle and character is required to get the team out of the mess they have been in.
Yesterday Benitez showed his spirit by insisting that he is the man to get them out of their current troubles.
"When in a difficult situation you always need strong characters, and that can be the difference between a winning team or not," he explained.
"We need to show this, and I'm sure we have players of that mentality. But the staff need to show this too, because in times like these you need to have the courage to understand that you must trust your players and push them.
"I will try to find the solution.
I will work hard with my staff and players and you need the commitment of everyone. I think I have that commitment." Benitez has indulged his side over the past month, often to no avail, but after the midweek embarrassment at West Ham he has told them exactly what is required - and he expects them to respond.
"It would be easy to say we don't have the character or desire throughout the team.
But I am expecting something from the players," said Benitez.
"The players know they have a responsibility. There are a lot of people behind them and we need to improve our performance. We need to give 120 per cent now if we can.
"As a manager, you must support your players if they give you and the club 100 per cent. It is sometimes hard to judge if they are doing that, but the players and the staff know everyone needs to improve."
Should he lose to Sunderland today, then the Liverpool manager's job would surely be on the line. But he insisted last night that he has no thoughts of ever quitting Anfield.
"If I think it's impossible here, maybe I could look at other options. But I'm not thinking about that. I think we can win titles, and win the Premier League.
"Not this year, it would be almost impossible, but in the future. We have got through to finals and won trophies. I am positive we can improve as a club and win more."
Benitez will make changes today, with Javier Mascherano and possibly Peter Crouch coming into contention.
LIVERPOOL V SUNDERLAND LIVE ON SETANTA 5.15PM
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...9520-20306413/
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE Liverpool v Sunderland, today, Kick-off 5.15pm BENITEZ CRISIS BATTLE-CRY
David Maddock 02/02/2008
Rafael Benitez insisted last night he will lead from the front as he demanded character to end Liverpool 's depressing fall from grace.
The Anfield boss believes any change must start with him, as he looks for the win he believes will re-ignite a desperately disappointing campaign.
Liverpool have not won in the Premier League for five matches, and the Spanish coach admitted that the underperforming aristocrats have a duty to their fans to end such a dismal run.
His team have taken just four points from their last 15, and since early December, 10 points from 27. Over the same period, leaders Manchester United have accumulated 27 points from a possible 30.
That, Benitez knows, is nowhere near good enough, and last night he stood up and accepted the blame.
"It starts with me, I know that. How can a side improve if their manager isn't positive? If the manager's head is down, he can not see anything," he said.
"Liverpool's history is as a city of fighters, and that is what I will do, fight. I will fight on for as long as I can - maybe for 10 more years!
"It is time to show character now, but not just for the players.
The staff have to take responsibility and give our supporters what they deserve, just as much as the players."
Liverpool entertain Sunderland today in a game Benitez knows is a must-win if he is not to be engulfed in a full-blown crisis at Anfield.
And he knows too the time for analysis and tactical tinkering is over, because instead, good old-fashioned bottle and character is required to get the team out of the mess they have been in.
Yesterday Benitez showed his spirit by insisting that he is the man to get them out of their current troubles.
"When in a difficult situation you always need strong characters, and that can be the difference between a winning team or not," he explained.
"We need to show this, and I'm sure we have players of that mentality. But the staff need to show this too, because in times like these you need to have the courage to understand that you must trust your players and push them.
"I will try to find the solution.
I will work hard with my staff and players and you need the commitment of everyone. I think I have that commitment." Benitez has indulged his side over the past month, often to no avail, but after the midweek embarrassment at West Ham he has told them exactly what is required - and he expects them to respond.
"It would be easy to say we don't have the character or desire throughout the team.
But I am expecting something from the players," said Benitez.
"The players know they have a responsibility. There are a lot of people behind them and we need to improve our performance. We need to give 120 per cent now if we can.
"As a manager, you must support your players if they give you and the club 100 per cent. It is sometimes hard to judge if they are doing that, but the players and the staff know everyone needs to improve."
Should he lose to Sunderland today, then the Liverpool manager's job would surely be on the line. But he insisted last night that he has no thoughts of ever quitting Anfield.
"If I think it's impossible here, maybe I could look at other options. But I'm not thinking about that. I think we can win titles, and win the Premier League.
"Not this year, it would be almost impossible, but in the future. We have got through to finals and won trophies. I am positive we can improve as a club and win more."
Benitez will make changes today, with Javier Mascherano and possibly Peter Crouch coming into contention.
LIVERPOOL V SUNDERLAND LIVE ON SETANTA 5.15PM
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...9520-20306413/
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