Benitez backing Morientes to live up to reputation
Mar 18 2006
By Ian Doyle, Daily Post
RAFAEL BENITEZ admits Fernando Morientes has struggled to live up to his reputation since signing for Liverpool.
But the Anfield manager insists the striker has never doubted his own ability and has backed him to rediscover his form after ending his goalscoring drought in midweek.
Morientes's strike in the 5-1 win over Fulham was his first since netting twice against Middlesbrough on December 10.
It was only the 29-year-old's 10th goal in 51 appearances for Liverpool following a £6.3million move from Real Madrid in January last year. But after seeing Robbie Fowler and Peter Crouch also end their own barren spells against the struggling Londoners, Benitez is confident Morientes and the rest of Liverpool's strikers can build upon Wednesday's goal spree.
"Was it more difficult for Robbie, for Morientes, for Crouch or for Cisse? For all of them, it was difficult to keep their confidence but against Fulham everything changed," said the Anfield manager, whose side travel to Newcastle United tomorrow.
"Of course, it's always harder for a 'star' like Morientes who's very famous, but I think he has the skills and the ability to score goals. Maybe he has had problems with the pace in England, but he hasn't lost any ability.
"I think Fernando's a good worker, a nice boy and he's working so hard in the training sessions. I don't think he was beginning to doubt himself."
Benitez believes the strikers can benefit from an improved performance from their teammates.
"Fernando is a good player, like the others. If the team plays well, the forwards will score goals and he will have more confidence," said the Spaniard. "I hope to see the best of all of them now. They are good play-ers. You cannot say they cannot score goals. They've scored goals all their lives and I think they will score.
"On Wednesday we created chances, but no more than we did against Charlton. I think we had about 25 attempts, but we had 30 against Charlton. So sometimes it's down to luck."
