Rafa - Reds starting to fire

Liverpool boss pleased with return to form

Last updated: 18th September 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rafa - Reds starting to fire

Benitez: Feeling happier

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Rafa Benitez believes his Liverpool side are starting to find their form - and Fernando Torres will soon hit top gear.

The Reds suffered two defeats in the opening three league games to lead some to question their title credentials this term.

But Benitez's side have now won three times on the bounce in both the Premier League and Europe.

While Torres was below-par in the midweek UEFA Champions League win over Debrecen, Benitez believes it is only a matter of time before his star striker is back to his very best.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash with West Ham, the Reds boss said: "Fernando is not at his best, although he is trying very hard. But he can play better and he knows this. That is positive because he realises and I am confident in him.

"He is much more positive, he is working with the rest of the players and creating space for them. We will soon see the very best from him.

"Our players are starting to find their form, Dirk Kuyt is scoring, Yossi Benayoun is scoring, and we have started well in Europe.

"It is only a matter of time before Fernando starts to score more regularly.

"We have plenty of options now, most of our players are fit so the choice is good for me when you have more players available.

"It can be a headache, but a nice one with a variety of players to chose from."

Tough game

The Reds beat Gianfranco Zola's West Ham 3-0 at Upton Park last term but Benitez knows it will be tough on Saturday.

He said: "Last season we won well at West Ham but it was a strange game because we scored in the first minute and that meant the home side had to come out more and more and we were able to score on the break.

"West Ham do not concede too many goals, they have a good manager who wants the game played in the right way and they have a great tradition for playing that way. It will be difficult."

But Benitez believes his side's confidence is back.

He said: "I hope our team is beginning to take shape after a difficult start to the season. In the Champions League game this week we had 25 chances, things are improving.

"Now we have our confidence back and we must build on that and keep winning games.

"I am happier with the way things have improved. You can see from the mood in training sessions that the players have more confidence because they know we are starting to perform well again.

"We know now that we can win any game. After those two defeats we showed a lot of character to come back from behind twice to win at Bolton, and then we produced a very good performance to beat Burnley before winning in the Champions League this week.

"The players were surprised by what happened at the beginning of the season, but there was so much expectation around at the time."

Panic

He added: "People were saying we were going to win the title. Then we lost two games, as many as we lost all last season in the league, and some people - outside the club - were starting to panic.

"It was not easy for the fans at the time, and not easy for the staff and the players. But we were intent on sending out the right message and to getting over that opening spell quickly.

"We needed to show character and experience. And to see the bigger picture. We were told we could not afford to lose again because the title would be gone.

"But I never believed that, we needed to keep our heads and put the small details right.

"Little things can change players' confidence, a late winner like at Bolton, and everyone feels a lot happier about things."