Rafa sticking with 'guarantee'

Liverpool manager still targeting top four

Last updated: 28th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rafa sticking with 'guarantee'

Benitez: Staying positive

Related links

Teams

Also see

Rafa Benitez believes he was right to promise that Liverpool would finish in the top four.

The Reds manager declared earlier this month that he could 'guarantee' his side's qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League.

The pledge came despite a disappointing start to the current campaign which has left Liverpool seventh at the halfway point.

And Benitez's choice of phrase has been questioned by critics who think he should not make promises he is not certain to keep.

The Spanish tactician, however, has defended himself by insisting he has no option but to be positive.

Benitez feels Liverpool are strong enough to climb the table over the next few months and is not backing down over his previous statement.

"People keep asking me why I say categorically that we will be in the top four - but what do you expect from me?" said Benitez.

"I have to say that. We have confidence and we have to do it because we are a top side."