Rafa Benitez is backing his side to shift through the gears during what is set to be a crucial month in the club's season.
The Anfield boss knows the Reds have not totally convinced in their opening five matches despite an unbeaten run which has taken them to joint top of the league. But with massive games against Manchester United and Everton looming in the next month, not to mention the start of our Champions League campaign, Benitez expects his side to start reaching full potential.
"Javier Mascherano, Lucas and Babel arrived late and I am sure that in a few weeks' time it will be better," the gaffer told Liverpoolfc.tv. "We need to have better possession and work on having a higher tempo."
Liverpool's last outing brought a credible point at Villa Park without Steven Gerrard and, for the most part, Fernando Torres. Benitez added: "Getting a draw without them showed the quality in the squad – but it could have been better. Having watched the videos, I thought we could have won. We had four chances – Alonso, Kuyt, Ngog and Keane. They had two and some set-pieces. So, the point was good but it could have been better. We changed the system to play 4-3-3 and give Xabi Alonso freedom, then when he was being pressed we changed to 4-2-3-1. People said, 'Oh, Robbie Keane wasn't playing well on the left.' But we had to think about winning the game, not just one player."
Gerrard is currently recovering from a groin operation due to keep him out 10-15 days. On the skipper's race to face United on September 13, Benitez said: "Steven is okay. He's started with bicycle work and will start jogging, so I think he will be ready soon."
Meanwhile, the Liverpool boss is backing Daniel Agger to rise to the challenge of extra competition at centre-back. The Dane has been absent from the starting XI since the first leg of our Champions League qualifier in Liege. Benitez said: "Martin Skrtel is a good centre-back, Jamie Carragher is very consistent and Sami Hyypia is a good option also, so Daniel needs to work hard if he wants to play and he knows that. We want two players for each position but Daniel has a very good mentality and he will be ready."
Interesting comments on a wide range of things. The obvious thing is the tactics he seemed to have deployed against Villa.
The Anfield boss knows the Reds have not totally convinced in their opening five matches despite an unbeaten run which has taken them to joint top of the league. But with massive games against Manchester United and Everton looming in the next month, not to mention the start of our Champions League campaign, Benitez expects his side to start reaching full potential.
"Javier Mascherano, Lucas and Babel arrived late and I am sure that in a few weeks' time it will be better," the gaffer told Liverpoolfc.tv. "We need to have better possession and work on having a higher tempo."
Liverpool's last outing brought a credible point at Villa Park without Steven Gerrard and, for the most part, Fernando Torres. Benitez added: "Getting a draw without them showed the quality in the squad – but it could have been better. Having watched the videos, I thought we could have won. We had four chances – Alonso, Kuyt, Ngog and Keane. They had two and some set-pieces. So, the point was good but it could have been better. We changed the system to play 4-3-3 and give Xabi Alonso freedom, then when he was being pressed we changed to 4-2-3-1. People said, 'Oh, Robbie Keane wasn't playing well on the left.' But we had to think about winning the game, not just one player."
Gerrard is currently recovering from a groin operation due to keep him out 10-15 days. On the skipper's race to face United on September 13, Benitez said: "Steven is okay. He's started with bicycle work and will start jogging, so I think he will be ready soon."
Meanwhile, the Liverpool boss is backing Daniel Agger to rise to the challenge of extra competition at centre-back. The Dane has been absent from the starting XI since the first leg of our Champions League qualifier in Liege. Benitez said: "Martin Skrtel is a good centre-back, Jamie Carragher is very consistent and Sami Hyypia is a good option also, so Daniel needs to work hard if he wants to play and he knows that. We want two players for each position but Daniel has a very good mentality and he will be ready."
Interesting comments on a wide range of things. The obvious thing is the tactics he seemed to have deployed against Villa.
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