Benayoun looking to cement place

Benayoun: Happy with form

Nobody wants to be on the bench, but particularly at a big club like this there are a lot of good players and you cannot let someone else play.

Benayoun
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Yossi Benayoun hopes his hat-trick in Liverpool's 4-0 success over Burnley can help secure regular first-team football under Rafa Benitez.

The former West Ham winger has featured frequently as a substitute during his two seasons with the Anfield side.

The Israel international acknowledges competition for places in Benitez's side is fierce, but that has not diminished his desire to become a regular.

Benayoun showed what he can do against The Clarets with a hat-trick, his first goals of the new season as The Reds returned to form.

He has admitted fatigue was a factor after enduring a gruelling trip home from Israel in midweek, although he will stop at nothing to secure regular first-team football.

Competition

"The competition is very high at a club like Liverpool, you have to want to play every time," explained Benayoun.

"It is always difficult after being away on the international break, but this one came at the right time for us.

"We had lost two of the first four, we needed the break. The team needed to think about the things that we did wrong and come back to try to put things right.

"We have learned from our mistakes, and you could see that from the first moment. I played 90 minutes for Israel on Wednesday and then there were two long flights to get back here.

"But everyone wants to play, regardless of tiredness. Nobody wants to be on the bench, but particularly at a big club like this there are a lot of good players and you cannot let someone else play."

Benayoun has conceded it has taken him a little time to settle on Merseyside, although he believes his recent form proves he deserves to be with Liverpool.

Opportunity

He added: "From the moment I arrived at Liverpool I told myself that I would take every opportunity to do my best and prove I deserved to be in the team.

"I have had ups and downs in the last two years here, but from the final months of last season I have showed I can play better and better when I have confidence.

"You must accept you will be on the bench sometimes, but even if you get just 10 minutes, you have to do your best and show your quality.

"It was the perfect day for me, and we have started to win matches. The season didn't start too well for us, and maybe it has been good that people have already written us off.

"There will be less pressure. We can build our confidence slowly and when we win games like this, everyone can see we have the quality to be up there in the race."