RAFA: WE WANT TO QUALIFY TONIGHT James Carroll 26 November 2008
Rafa Benitez took ten minutes out of his pre-Marseille preparations to talk to radio journalists about the game and the fitness of Steven Gerrard.
Journalist: It's another big European night. For you personally, it's a bit of a milestone as you'll take charge of Liverpool in Europe for the 66th time, which is more than any other Liverpool manager...
Rafa Benitez: I am proud to be in this position and I hope to be here
for another 66 matches. I think it is a good achievement for any
manager, especially at a top club like Liverpool because that means
that the team is doing well in Europe and that is positive for the
club.
Journalist: So you are aware of the whole history of European football because a lot of managers would say 'I am only concentrating on the match' and 'I don't care about statistics' but you obviously are proud...
I am proud but I am more focussed on Marseille. I was not aware of the record until someone told me recently, but it is good. When I was in Madrid, Liverpool beat Madrid 1-0 in the European Cup Final. The
Madrid goalkeeper was my mate and I knew some of the other players so I am well aware of the history of Liverpool in Europe.
Journalist: How much is the success in Europe having an effect on the league form and the success you've had in the Premier League this
season? Is that in turn pushing the players on in all competitions?
When you are a top side you have four competitions to compete in
so it can be difficult to concentrate in all of them but the Champions
League and Premier League are massive. Hopefully we can qualify and then we can concentrate on the Premier League.
Journalist: You have talked about the club's history and your own
personal achievement. Does the weight of expectation get more difficult every year?
Yeah, we have experience of this. After my first year everybody was talking about winning something and doing well. Because we had won
the Champions League, expectations were too high. Now we are trying
to win the Premier League but in England the other teams are so good
that it is really difficult. I think we have keep working as hard as
we are now in order to win the Premier League and other competitions.
Journalist: There's almost been a backlash to the Fulham result in the press. Are you surprised at how quickly people forget what a good run you've been on?
[Laughs] I can guarantee you that I was not reading the press! I was really disappointed after the Fulham game but the following day I was preparing for this game. In the Premiership, we are at the top of the table and in a fantastic position. If we can beat Marseille then we will qualify for next stage of the Champions League. Clearly the situation is much better for us than it has been in the last three
years. We are doing well in all competitions apart from the Carling
Cup, where we made a mistake which we paid for, but everybody knows
that the priority is the Premier League and the Champions League and
then the FA Cup.
Journalist: What are you expecting from Marseille? Another similar
set-up to Fulham at the weekend?
No, I don't think so. It will be difficult as they have some good
players who are quick and have ability. They showed last season that
they are good at counter-attacking. They have to win so they must
decide whether to play deep and leave the possession to us or come and
attack, so it will be interesting to see but we have our own plan and
idea.
Journalist: How important is it that you finish the job against
Marseille so you don't have to worry when you go to Eindhoven?
Last season we only had one point after three games in the Champions League so we knew that we needed to win every game to qualify. Two years ago, we had qualified before we played the last group game so we were able to try out some young players against Galatasaray. Qualifying is the most important thing and I think it is better to finish first in the group, but we were knocked out by Benfica after finishing first while we have beaten Juventus and Inter Milan after finishing second. The main thing is to qualify to allow us to concentrate on the Premier League.
Journalist: How is Steven Gerrard?
He is okay. He was training this morning so I think that he will be fit for Marseille. I don't know if he can play 90 minutes, that depends on his fitness, but he can start if we want to use him.
Journalist: Do you know how important he is then?
Yes we know he is important but I think that every player here is
important. Gerrard and Fernando Torres are players who have scored goals in the last two or three years, almost always in Gerrard's case, so it is important to keep them fit.
Journalist: And you need them for the big occasions and this is a big occasion...
Yes. They are top class players and they can show the quality that
they have in the big games.
Journalist: Any other injury problems at all?
Degen and Skrtel. The rest of the players are fit.
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Rafa seems fairly positive in that interview, I just hope the players are up for this tonight, I want to see us get at them right from the start, really let them know there in for a fight, and hit them where it hurts.
A couple of early goals should get the crowd on their feet...........until there told to sit down by the Stewards :
I just want us to qualify as soon as possible, put Europe behind us and concentrate on West Ham and three points on Monday.
Enjoy the game everyone, I will be leaving home for the match in about an hour, looking forward to yet another trip to Anfield and my home town of Liverpool.
COME ON THE REDS !!!! 
