Football - Liverpool FC: Rafael Benitez demands response in Europa League tie in Lille

Mar 10 2010 by James Pearce, Liverpool Daily Post

Football - Liverpool FC: MANAGER Rafael Benitez has demanded a response from his under-performing Liverpool side in tomorrow night’s first leg of their Europa League last 16 clash away to Lille.

Liverpool make the trip to France this evening with Benitez’s stinging criticism after Monday’s miserable 1-0 defeat at Wigan still ringing in their ears.

The Spaniard, who is usually fiercely protective of his players, accused them of lacking desire and character against the Latics.

And at Melwood yesterday Benitez left them in no doubt that a repeat performance simply won’t be tolerated.

“We are looking for a reaction,” Benitez said. “We know sometimes it’s not easy when you have a game so soon, but it can be very positive.

“Hopefully we’ll have the reaction and show on the pitch we are a strong side.

“Outside the pitch we have to keep focused and on the pitch we have to show we’re ready to win and show we have the desire.

“We were talking about this today. The players know we weren’t doing well and we have to improve.

“We have showed character and been strong in defence (in recent months), but we didn’t show these things in the first half at Wigan.

“Everyone knows it was a bad performance and we missed an opportunity.

“They realise they didn’t play well and that’s the positive thing. Hopefully they can improve for the next game. Sometimes you have these games, but the problem we have is that we don’t have too much room for mistakes so we have to perform now.”

Yossi Benayoun is doubtful for tomorrow night’s game. The Israeli sat out training yesterday after picking up an ankle injury at Wigan.

However, central defender Daniel Agger should travel after recovering from a sickness bug which ruled him out on Monday night.

Benitez added: “We had some problems with Agger. He was sick and lost some weight. We had to be careful with him but he’s training now so hopefully will be okay.

“Benayoun had a problem with his ankle. We have to see. He wasn’t training so we have to decide.”

Benitez is wary of the threat Lille will pose to Liverpool’s hopes of keeping their dream of silverware alive.

And he has enlisted the help of his former club Valencia, who took four points off the French side in the Europa League’s group stage.

“Lille are a good team,” he said. “People maybe don’t know too much about them but we’ve spoken with people in Valencia, because they played one another, and we have reports from the scouts.

“We know they’re a dangerous team with some ability. I have some friends at Valencia and they told me it was a very difficult game.

“They are good at home. Maybe in the last two games they haven’t been at their level because I think they’re maybe thinking about the Europa League and that makes them even more dangerous.

“We will see a team with great motivation because they’re playing Liverpool and it’s an important competition for them.

“We have to be really focused. We cannot make the same mistakes as we did on Monday.

“We have to go, score and try to win if we can.”

Glen Johnson could make his first start after making his comeback from a knee injury as a second half substitute at Wigan.

It was the England right-back’s first appearance since December and his return to the starting line up would enable Javier Mascherano to revert back to his usual midfield role.

“Johnson can be an important player for us for the rest of the season,” Benitez said.

“It was clear he still hasn’t got the match fitness but at least he showed his quality. He was going forward and it’s a different option in the side.”

Meanwhile, Wigan chairman Dave Whelan believes Liverpool’s fans deserve better after Monday’s defeat at the DW Stadium delivered a major blow to hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Whelan insists co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have played a big part in the club’s struggles this season.

“The big sympathy I have is for the Liverpool supporters because they are a fantastic lot,” Whelan said.

“Liverpool are in a mess. The owners, being American, I don’t think they feel what we (British club owners) feel.

“I’m really, really sorry for their supporters. We went to Anfield earlier in the season and there’s absolutely no atmosphere and no heart at all at present.

“The supporters feel that and I think the players are starting to feel it.”