Official LFC Website, 12 Aug 2005 RAFA'S PREMIERSHIP PREVIEW Paul Eaton
On the eve of the brand new season Rafa Benitez talks to Liverpoolfc.tv about his hopes for the coming campaign at Anfield.
~ Rafa, the start of the new Premiership season is finally with us - how excited do you feel?
I'm very excited. We have worked hard in pre-season getting ready for this weekend. The players have done well and I'm sure they're all looking forward to tomorrow's game. The first day is always exciting, especially if you're playing against a good team.
~ How much more confident do you feel going into this season than you were a year ago when you were unfamiliar with the Premiership?
I have a lot more confidence. I know more about the players, the teams, the stadiums and the atmospheres inside the grounds. That means I can approach our matches in a different way this season.
~ Has pre-season gone exactly to plan as far as preparing for this weekend is concerned?
It was sometimes difficult for us because we needed to change our plans and weren't able to go to Japan. In the end it's not been bad for us because we worked hard in Switzerland, we played some official games and won a lot of matches. We have enjoyed a good pre-season.
~ What's pleased you most about the games you've played over the last few weeks?
I think the atmosphere between the players. It's really good. The new signings have come in and have shown that they are good professionals as well. The team spirit is really good.
~ You've scored 25 goals in eight pre-season games, does that statistic give you confidence for the new league season?
Of course. We are more consistent now and we have been scoring goals in all of our games. Hopefully we can take that form into the Premiership.
~ You've had a long trip to Bulgaria this week - has that made planning for the Middlesbrough game more difficult than you'd ideally have liked?
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It's been a little bit more difficult, that's true. But we have good players who are in a very good physical condition. We want to see them all fit but we know we have a strong squad and so we can bring in other players if necessary.
~ Were you pleased with the performance your side gave in Sofia?
Yes. We played a good game. It was more difficult than people thought it would be but we did a good job and earned a good result. Fernando Morientes scored two good goals and he will have more confidence now because it's always important for the centre forwards to score.
~ Liverpool's recent record at Middlesbrough isn't good - how difficult an opening day fixture is this for your side?
It's a difficult game but you must play against all the sides. We are in a good position now, we have a better squad and a lot of confidence so we're capable of getting a good result there.
~ You're keen for an improved away record this season, is Middlesbrough the sort of place you need to be picking up points from?
It's too early to say that. We might lose tomorrow and then win our next five. All I can say is it's important we play well, score goals and win some games.
~ Where do you see the danger coming from in Steve McLaren's side?
The strikers. Yakubu and Hbuttelbaink are good players and they have Downing to get the crosses in. They are a strong team and a good team. It will be a difficult game for us.
~ Is there even more pressure to do well in the league this season because you have the title of European Champions?
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No. It just means we will have a lot more confidence, not more pressure. We are Liverpool and that means we must win as many games as we can. We know what we can do and now it's up to us to go and produce good performances.
~ How important is it to get off to a good start and not find yourself adrift of the leaders after the first fewweeks of the season?
That's true. We want to be in the top four as soon as we can and then if we can get there we can start looking at what else we can fight for. The important thing at the moment is just to concentrate on the next game and look to start picking up points as soon as we can.
~ Are Chelsea the team to beat once again this year?
I think so. They are the champions, but Arsenal and Manchester United are good teams as well. I hope it will be an exciting race for the title and I also hope we can be involved.
~ Outside of the big four, which of the other teams do you feel can challenge for a Champions League slot this season in the way Everton did last year?
There are always teams who surprise you. This season I think Newcastle, Bolton, Tottenham and Middlesbrough are good teams and they can do well this season.
~ What can Liverpool fans realistically expect in terms of the Premiership this season? Are we aiming higher than saying we just want a top four finish?
My idea is to fight for as many trophies as we can. I don't want to just say our aim is the top four. We have to win as many games as we can and see where we can go.
