Benitez: We must improve in league
Aug 8 2005
By Ian Doyle, Daily Post
RAFAEL BENITEZ has admitted he has yet to fully demonstrate his managerial calibre in the Premiership.
Despite their European Cup triumph in Istanbul in May, Liverpool underachieved in the league and finished outside the Champions League qualification places in fifth spot.
Only special dispensation from UEFA has allowed the Anfield side to defend their title. And as coach Benitez prepares for Wednesday's third qualifying round first leg tie against CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria, the Spaniard has reiterated his desire to follow European glory with domestic silverware.
"I still have things to prove to people in England," said Benitez.. "I came here to win trophies over five or even 10 years, not just to win the Champions League.
"Part of my dream is one day to win the Premiership. I am not saying that we will win it this season because you can never say such things in football, but I can promise the fans we will work even harder than we did last year and we will do better.
"I learned many things in my first season. The English league is very different to what I was used to and what a lot of the new players I brought in expected. As a result there were times when we did very well and times when we played poorly.
"My job is not only to make sure we play well more often than we did last season."
Benitez, meanwhile, is confident Fernando Morientes will make a greater impact at Liverpool this season.
The Spanish striker struggled with injury and European ineligibility last campaign since arriving from Real Madrid for £6.3million in January, scoring just three goals in 15 appearances.
And while Benitez admits the forward has so far failed to sparkle, he believes Morientes - who is vying for a striking role alongside Djibril Cisse on Wednesday - will find his form this campaign.
Milan Baros remains no nearer an Anfield exit with Liverpool still awaiting an expected offer from Aston Villa. Monaco continue to monitor developments.
Any possible move to bring Michael Owen back to Anfield is dependent on Baros departing first.
* FOUR Liverpool players have been short-listed in the UEFA Club Football Awards for 2005. Jerzy Dudek is nominated for Best Goalkeeper, Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia for Best Defender and Steven Gerrard for Best Midfielder. The quartet are among 21 players in contention for the Most Valuable Player Award, which will be announced in Monaco on August 25.
