BENITEZ HIGHLIGHTS IMPROVEMENT

Saturday 18th March 2006
ANFIELD ONLINE LFC NEWS

BENITEZ HIGHLIGHTS IMPROVEMENT

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez goes into Sunday's tough away match at Newcastle believing his side have improved on last season - which they ended by winning the European Cup.

Liverpool have already matched their points tally of last season and there are nine matches still to go.

That total of 58 earned them only fifth place last term but now they are aiming at a potential runner's-up finish, although Benitez is sceptical about achieving that as second-placed Manchester United "are more experienced of such run-ins".

Liverpool have also already equalled their tally of 17 wins from last term and unless there is a major collapse their defensive record will also be better.

Last term they conceded 41 in the league and so far they have only let in 20, thanks in part to 28 clean sheets in all competitions.

Goals are still a problem but Benitez is relieved they now go to St James' Park with his strikers' collective drought at an end after the 5-1 midweek win over Fulham.

"The goals we scored against Fulham has lifted a problem. It was becoming difficult to keep talking about the strikers and the goals not being scored," said the Spaniard.

"But after five goals we can finish with all this. Maybe, as a manager, it would be better for me to see us scoring five winners in five games and that would mean more points."

Benitez has made no secret of the fact that, with a new contract and the promise of transfer funds, he is planning a big improvement next term.

"This season we have done better than last. Already we have reached the same amount of points we ended with last season," he said.

"We have also done better in the FA Cup than my first season. We have made mistakes in the league which means if we do finish second it will be a fantastic achievement for us.

"We were fifth last season and it is not easy to progress as much as that in such a short time.

"But we have more points, more clean sheets and we have now started scoring goals - so we are progressing."

Benitez is relishing a trip to the north-east despite Liverpool's 1-0 defeat there last season.

"The clubs are similar. They are a big club with fantastic supporters and the atmosphere was amazing when we went there," the manager added.

"It wasn't great for us though because we lost and this time I intend to do a better job and get the points for us. But then I do expect Newcastle to continue to improve."

Benitez also has an FA Cup quarter-final against Birmingham to plan for on Tuesday.

"I have to use my squad because of the amount of games the centre-backs have played and with the cup game at Birmingham in mind," he said.

"I am having to plan for both matches at the same time because they are so close together and that is when I need to use the squad, I must use other players.

"This schedule is like Christmas when you play four games in eight days, I do not really understand.

"If you want to see the best from players you must give them rests. One day is not enough between games."

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