Benitez calls for Morientes to shine
Aug 10 2005
By David Prior In Sofia, Daily Post Staff
RAFAEL BENITEZ has called on Fernando Morientes to deliver a big performance against CSKA Sofia tonight - and so help preserve Milan Baros's value on the transfer market.
Liverpool are in the Bulgarian capital for the first leg of their Champions League third round qualifier, already their fifth game of the competition this season.
Manager Benitez is aiming to set up a straightforward return leg at Anfield in two weeks' time,, when the holders will finally have the opportunity to book their place in the lucrative group stages.
Peter Crouch's hamstring injury, howver, has reduced the Spaniard's options up front and increased the possibility of Baros having to be called on - something Benitez is loath to do as he still intends to preserve the Czech striker's Champions League eligibility ahead of his likely departure.
Morientes was himself ineligible for the latter stages of the run to Istanbul triumph last season, and Benitez hopes Liverpool's closeness to a return to the competition proper this time will finally bring out the best in his striker - and allow him to keep Baros on the bench.
He said: "I hope to see the best of Morientes in the next few months. When you see a player of his quality training as hard as he is doing, then you know he will score goals.
"He has good ability, is good in the air, can pbutt and can shoot with both feet. He maybe needs to improve with the pace of the game here and he knows that, but we need to start giving him more opportunities to score.
"We have Morientes, Baros and Cisse as our strikers for this game. The others are injured. I shall use the best players for winning.
"If I think I can manage the situation without playing Baros then I will do, but if I think he has to play, then he will do.
"My main idea is to win the game. It depends on the game and the situation as to whether we use Milan."
Benitez admitted tonight's hosts at the Vbuttil Levski stadium will pose a much stiffer test than Total Network Solutions and FBK Kaunas, Liverpool's opponents in the opening two rounds.
He said: "CSKA are a better team than the last two we have played. They play good football and keep the ball well, they are quick and compact and they have some good players. We need to be careful because it will be a more difficult than the other matches.
"They are a compact team, they have pace and good players, you must be careful and we have a lot of respect for them. I know that in football if you think you are the best one then maybe you will have problems.
"I have seen two videos and we have two reports on them. This is a more important game.
When you play friendlies, you are not at 100%. We have had to play early European games at 100%, but we will be better at the beginning of the Premier-ship season because of that."
Benitez also reaffirmed his intention to bring in a new centre-back before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, and again discounted a move for Michael Owen.
"We have six strikers. We are looking for a centre-back and a right midfielder. I am not trying to find a striker," added Benitez.
"Mellor showed last season that he can play and score, and Sinama was the same. We have Kewell and Garcia who can play up front so I do not think that we are looking for another striker."
Spanish youth international Antonio Barragan has been added to Liverpool's squad as manager Benitez is without eight players through injury.
The former Sevilla fullback, 18, has impressed in training since moving to Anfield this summer, and he could play a part in the third qualifying round first-leg match in Bulgaria.
