Benitez questions attitude

Reds boss disappointed after Latics defeat

By James Riach   Last updated: 9th March 2010  

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was disappointed with his team's attitude after their defeat to Wigan Athletic.

The Reds were beaten 1-0 at the DW Stadium in a Premier League tie that could prove influential in the race for a top-four finish come the end of the season.

Liverpool had looked to have turned the corner in recent weeks after a poor run of form, but a woeful performance that lacked creativity in the final third will give hope to their rivals in a hunt for a UEFA Champions League spot.

Hugo Rodallega got the only goal of the game on 35 minutes, slotting home an Emmerson Boyce cross from the right after Dirk Kuyt surrendered possession.

And Benitez had no qualms about the result after the final whistle.

"We have to be really disappointed, after a defeat you always cannot be happy," he told Sky Sports.

"In the first-half we didn't do anything, (we were) giving the ball away, not winning any first or second balls.

"It's difficult to explain. The second-half a much better attitude but it wasn't enough.

"It's difficult to explain. I think it's a question of attitude in the first-half.

"I think that the players in the second-half showed character. I think sometimes we were playing too quick, but at least we showed character, in the first-half we didn't play well."

When asked about Wigan's performance, Benitez remarked: "I think that they were working very hard from the beginning to the end. We expected this."

Blow

Liverpool's position in the quest for a top-four finish is hurt by the fact that they have now played more games than any other side in contention.

But Benitez, who promised that he would lead the Anfield outfit to a Champions League berth earlier in the campaign, insists they will not give up.

He added: "We have to keep going. We have an important game on Thursday (against Lille) and then we have to keep going, keep winning games if we can.

"We had some chances but we didn't play well."

When asked what the atmosphere was like in the dressing room after the game, he said: "Everybody was really low."

Comments (26)

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Billy Bones (Liverpool fan) says...

What a disaster! Rafa continues to play Lucas Leiva and Mascherano, who were and always are so poor, Lucas is awful his passing and positioning are just bad, Mascherano makes the most ridiculous tackles and gets booked and booked. We sold Xabi Alonso who was consistently strong and buy Aquilani who NEEDS an operation and does not even get a first team regular place....."He is adjusting to the English game"....Come on that is just a poor excuse for someone who paid millions for him and does not know why!!! Lucas is just NOT a replacement for Alonso either. Why oh why does Rafa play him? Maybe they are really good friends and their wives have tea together! Because talent wise he is lacking in a lot of areas. I have been a liverpool all my life, and "You Never Walk Alone" but it is wrong to assume that this is going to be alright..This is poor management. The rotation system is a farce, using the excuse that players need a rest...he always pick Jamie Caragher and Steven Gerrard, so it's just not true he just can't make up his mind. Well Rafa winning the Champions League from a team you inherited is not good enough for this club, make the right decision and resign NOW....

Posted 10:16 9th March 2010

Shaun O'connor says...

This was one of the worst performances I have seen of Liverpool in all my years of watching them, Wigan were worthy winners, as soon as they scored, I knew it was going to be a bad result for us. It was like we had already given up, there was no fight, drive or passion in any of them, when Torres or Gerrard are not in the mood, there is no one there to take the mantle to keep pushing us forward, even dependable players like Carragher & Kuyt who give their everything, are looking out of their depths. I always saw you never win a game by passing back or sidewards, but its what we seem to do best, there is no urgency about their play. Guys like Maxi, Lucas, Insua, Degen, Aurelio, Aquilani, El Zahir, Riera, maybe have had their day, they are not particular bad players, but just not good enough for Liverpool or in case of Aurelio, just to injury prone to be relied on. We should never have got rid Riise, Hyypia, Arbeola, Alonso, Keane, Crouch, Sissoko, Warnock, I honestly thing if we still had these players we would not be in the state we are now.

Posted 10:08 9th March 2010

Tex Riba (Liverpool fan) says...

What does he expect to happen ? Its obvious the players don't want to play for him anymore, his selections, tactics, subsitutions are all very puzzling.There is not enough quality at Liverpool, Lucas, Ngog, Degen, the Greek bloke, and Benitez himself should be shown the door in June.Its too much for us Liverpool supporters to take now !!!

Posted 09:51 9th March 2010

Akis Philipps says...

Liverpool's performance was very, very poor. No nerve, no fantasy to their game. But this is Liverpool. I support Liverpool many years and it really hearts. "Small" clubs at the past were never thought or believe that had a chance when playing against Liverpool especially at Anflield. Now it's my team that stands no chance against "small" teams. Benitez have not added anything to the team. on the contrary. he managed to make Liverpool a middle class team. He must go if he really loves the club. We cannot accept humiliasion any more. He is a total failure. He had spend too many milliuons, eventhough he claims that he has no money for tranfers, and have achieved a BIG ZERO like himself.

Posted 09:35 9th March 2010

Dominique Hewitt says...

Rafa, Could be time to go, no urgency, nothing different,same old same old,get a couple of videos of Liverpool playing and you have the game plan. Sorry Rafa but I think you have had enough time and enough money.

Posted 09:29 9th March 2010

Chris Md says...

Another typical Benitez, Pelligrino team performance.

Posted 08:52 9th March 2010

Ryan Ludick (Liverpool fan) says...

Liverpool were poor to say the least!!! The amount of times Kuyt and co gave away the ball was shocking. Only when Aquilani and Babel came on did it look like we wanted to play. What Liverpool should be doing now is kiss this season and that 4th spot goodbye and start doing the legwork to get some world class players in for next season...Joe Cole should top that list!!!! I have to admit that I am slowly but surely starting to entertain the idea that Rafa is no longer the man for the top job...might we be in for a few heads to roll come May/June, and might we see the return of the "special one"? Only time will tell, but I hate to say that watching the once mighty reds has become nothing but a agonizing reminder of how we have drifted away from former glory. Lastly, should the yanks still control the club 2/3 years from now....we will become the next Leeds United. The yanks have a history of stuffing up foreign conquests...Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Elin Woods(nudge nudge)......and now English football.....I hate saying this.....but well done to the Man. Utd. fans for their attempts to get their club back from the greedy paws of the Americans. YNWA!!

Posted 08:49 9th March 2010

Wilbo Baggins (Liverpool fan) says...

Nothing to do with his poor tactics then? What a load of rubbish. At least with his 'promise' he might actually do the decent thing and resign at end of the season. I think we should be more worried about not even qualifying for the europa league at this rate. I've had enough of Tink and his negative tactics and patience is wearing thin. It's like the 90's all over again. Yeah!

Posted 08:27 9th March 2010

Chris Cummings (Liverpool fan) says...

the man's deluded....HE PICKED THE TEAM!!!! how can he expect to win games when he chooses the likes of Lucas, Insua and Kuyt ahead of betterplayers like Babel, Aquilani and Martin Kelly.... I've been a red all my 33 years and will continue to be for the rest of my life but this is THE MOST BORING Liverpool team I have EVER watched. and thats saying something having witnessed the 'Souness Years'. I'm sorry but Rafa has to go, before Gerrard and Torres go instead to play some decent football elsewhere.

Posted 08:02 9th March 2010

Peed off reds fan !!!!!! (Liverpool fan) says...

Benitez makes some awful decisions and it'd now time for him to do Liverpool a favour and make a good decision and LEAVE!!!! And take useless Lucas and aurellio and babel with you. We a becoming a joke!!!

Posted 07:41 9th March 2010

Ian Simpson (Liverpool fan) says...

Being a Liverpool supporter for 30 years we need a new manager now? Should the current manager look at a replay of the last 10 Liverpool games,you will find players playing out of position,kicking ball away and giving back to opposition over and over again.only the goalkeeper should retain his position. The defence is disater waiting to happen.sorry to say Liverpool is not a big club anymore.

Posted 07:37 9th March 2010

Len Brits (Manchester United fan) says...

Rafa is a joke! He says "we have to keep winning games" - surely he means that they have tos START winning games- Rafa MUST go!!!!

Posted 06:27 9th March 2010

Mario Mark (Liverpool fan) says...

i dont know why Lucas is still getting so much game time and still continuosly mess up. Benitez pays 20 mill pounds for a player that sits on the bench. WTF? They deserved to lose with a disply of that stature! hope they can turn it around on Thursday against Lyon

Posted 06:08 9th March 2010

Craig Gibson (Liverpool fan) says...

Horrible performance. Bye Bye Champions League after that result. Benitez questions the players attitude?!?!?!?! What about his attitude. He has the personality, desire and fighting spirit of a shop manequin. Lets face it, he knows his days are numbered and he's starting to blame the players......surprise surprise. Rafa, you've bought this bunch of sunday league superstars, now face it YOU have failed. Now leave and take them with you.

Posted 06:01 9th March 2010

Jc Carrington (Liverpool fan) says...

So Rafa questions the attitude of the players! May be the players have lost all confidence in his negative approach to games and his mediocare buys! Apparently according to Gerrards agent he has had enough and will seek a move away from anfield in the summer! Never mind the owners out! Sack Rafa now and show us all that u want liverpool football club to be great once more.

Posted 05:55 9th March 2010

Francis Rangara (Liverpool fan) says...

Mid-table mediocrity beckons for LFC. Rafa must take reponsibility. Many of his purchases have no business being in a team with the heritage of LFC.

Posted 04:56 9th March 2010

Alex Mcgillycuddy (Liverpool fan) says...

How can Benitez talk about attitude whilst he is sat on the bench scribbling his notes down .He put Aquilani on late and then Babel on FAR too late. Aquilani had some lovely touches. I really dont get why he sticks with Lucas as he is a proven Championship player at best.... Benayoun, Gerrard, Aquilani, Babel should be are starting midfield. No disrespect to Wigan but we should be attacking them and beating teams like that with ease. Wigan played fantastically and they deserved their 3 points. Beniitez HAS TO GO!!

Posted 04:08 9th March 2010

Victor Terry (Liverpool fan) says...

How I ache for the Liverpool of days past. Benitez must go.He is not getting to the players as he would like to. He talks a good talk,but the players do not believe in what he stands for. Like most of us,he will have to be pushed out,as I cannot see him bowing out gracefully.

Posted 03:54 9th March 2010

Bruno Kaufmann (Liverpool fan) says...

Benitez has to be sacked. no passion, no creativity and it looks lik no chmpions league. not good enough for a club like Liverpool!!!! Where was the second striker we desperately need?

Posted 03:39 9th March 2010

Toby Adkins (Liverpool fan) says...

If a team with as much quality as this plays as rubbish as they did today its because of a lack of passion for the game and that clearly means that Benitez is not inspiring the players and doing his job.With the quality Liverpool has and the skill we all know they have because of last season, it is safe to assume that the manager is the person who needs to be replaced. Also, the yank owners need to stop being greedy and sell the club to someone who isn't just using it to funnel in money to the UK.

Posted 02:44 9th March 2010
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