Section: Europe
»
Type: IFA News
|
Rafa Insists Reds Can Get Even Better
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes there is more to come from his side after seeing them thrash Aston Villa. The Reds won 5-0 to move within a point of Premier League leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand. "We were scoring goals but didn't play particularly well," said the Spaniard after the 5-0 win. "We had a lot of opportunities to play a little bit better. I'm really pleased as it was a great performance but it can always be a little bit better." Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard scored his first Premier League hat-trick, with Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera also getting on the scoresheet. The Anfield outfit are now two goals ahead of United on goal difference and Benitez says his side could have improved that tally after Villa were reduced to 10-men when keeper Brad Friedel was sent off. However, Benitez added: "As far as the title chase is concerned, we just have to keep doing our job - we must not be concerned about United's results and how they are playing. "If United do make mistakes we must be ready - and that means carrying on doing what we are doing and winning points. "We are playing well and they will see that we are playing well and trying to win every game. We have eight games left and every one must be won - and be treated as a cup final. "Certainly we must maintain this momentum and when we are playing well it just increases confidence. "We now have an international break, so the players must come back from that, re-group and start playing again just as we are at the moment." The game took Liverpool's tally to 13 goals in three games as they have also beaten Real Madrid and Manchester United. Benitez insists the free-flowing form his team are showing is not down to instructions from him to attack more but a result of a rise in confidence. "It is the same situation (as before) but we are playing with more confidence and sometimes you need a little bit of luck," he stated. "In this case (against Villa) we had luck in some situations but also the keeper Pepe Reina was good. "If you analyse everything, we are attacking but we are playing better and taking our chances. "It's always important to score the first goal and against a team like Aston Villa, who have won 10 games away from home, it was important to stay in control of the game. It was crucial for us." Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill was not happy with the way his side played but conceded they were beaten by the better team. "We were well beaten by an exceptional Liverpool side but we did contribute to our own downfall.," he confirmed. "At 1-0 down, we gave away an unbelievably bad goal. It was a shocking mistake. "Liverpool have had two remarkable results before this game - beating Real Madrid and Manchester United - and they certainly did not need any help from us to achieve what they wanted. "We played poorly. We gave away some lousy goals and we have to get back on track. "We were doing fine four or five weeks ago but we were well beaten by a better side. But we are a better team than we showed in this game." |
||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
