according to Rafa Benitez
Rafael Benítez has effectively written off Liverpool's title chances even though his team lead the Premier League after 16 matches in which they have lost only once. Benítez's side have defeated both Manchester United and Chelsea during a promising opening to the season as they chase the club's first championship since 1990 but the manager is downbeat about their chances of lasting the pace.
"For us to win the league we need Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal to mess up their season," he was quoted by the S**. "It is very rare that three teams all mess up. So there's no point waiting for our direct adversaries to slip up because it won't happen. They all have a lot greater financial means than us."
Liverpool lead Chelsea by a point and enjoy a six-point advantage over United, who have a game in hand. Benítez's comments may be designed to ease the pressure on his squad before tomorrow's game at home to Hull after they managed only goalless draws at Anfield against Fulham and West Ham United in their past two league matches there. They were also held at home by Stoke in September.
"For me Valencia and Liverpool are similar - for them to win, the bigger clubs have to do badly," added the 48-year-old Spaniard, a Champions League winner with Liverpool. "When I won La Liga with Valencia that's what happened, Real Madrid and Barcelona were in transition, so it was easier."
Benítez, who is close to signing a new contract to keep him at Liverpool until 2013, has tended to be circumspect about his team's chances of winning the Premier League title, a trophy which the club's captain, Steven Gerrard, has described as his No1 target.
Yet the manager indicated earlier this season that he believed Liverpool were capable of ending their long search for the championship, which last came to Anfield when Kenny Dalglish was the manager. After Xabi Alonso had given the side a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge in October, ending Chelsea's unbeaten home league record after 86 matches, he said: "To win here sends a massive message to the other teams of what we can do and tells our fans what we are about.
"To come here with that mentality and showing the character the players showed gives us a big boost for the rest of the season."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...rafael-benitez
Worrying quotes if true. Doubt he'd talk to the sh*t rag
Don't agree with the bit about three teams having to mess up to win the title. We're top, it's us that shouldn't mess up if we want to win the title
Rafael Benítez has effectively written off Liverpool's title chances even though his team lead the Premier League after 16 matches in which they have lost only once. Benítez's side have defeated both Manchester United and Chelsea during a promising opening to the season as they chase the club's first championship since 1990 but the manager is downbeat about their chances of lasting the pace.
"For us to win the league we need Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal to mess up their season," he was quoted by the S**. "It is very rare that three teams all mess up. So there's no point waiting for our direct adversaries to slip up because it won't happen. They all have a lot greater financial means than us."
Liverpool lead Chelsea by a point and enjoy a six-point advantage over United, who have a game in hand. Benítez's comments may be designed to ease the pressure on his squad before tomorrow's game at home to Hull after they managed only goalless draws at Anfield against Fulham and West Ham United in their past two league matches there. They were also held at home by Stoke in September.
"For me Valencia and Liverpool are similar - for them to win, the bigger clubs have to do badly," added the 48-year-old Spaniard, a Champions League winner with Liverpool. "When I won La Liga with Valencia that's what happened, Real Madrid and Barcelona were in transition, so it was easier."
Benítez, who is close to signing a new contract to keep him at Liverpool until 2013, has tended to be circumspect about his team's chances of winning the Premier League title, a trophy which the club's captain, Steven Gerrard, has described as his No1 target.
Yet the manager indicated earlier this season that he believed Liverpool were capable of ending their long search for the championship, which last came to Anfield when Kenny Dalglish was the manager. After Xabi Alonso had given the side a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge in October, ending Chelsea's unbeaten home league record after 86 matches, he said: "To win here sends a massive message to the other teams of what we can do and tells our fans what we are about.
"To come here with that mentality and showing the character the players showed gives us a big boost for the rest of the season."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...rafael-benitez
Worrying quotes if true. Doubt he'd talk to the sh*t rag
Don't agree with the bit about three teams having to mess up to win the title. We're top, it's us that shouldn't mess up if we want to win the title
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