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Liverpool Are Completely Behind Rafael Benitez - Javier Mascherano
Argentine also highlights importance of derby...
29-Nov-2009 12:55:25 PM
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano insists that everyone at the club is behind under-fire manager Rafael Benitez, and believes that the dark hours shall pass to reveal the light of day.
There has been increasing speculation surrounding the future of the Reds boss, but the Argentine stresses that the gaffer has the backing he needs to bring about a positive change at Merseyside.
"You can't talk about changing the manager," Mascherano told the News of the World.
"Rafa signed a contract only a few months ago and I think all the supporters and the owners believe in Rafa and his project. Liverpool fans are behind Rafa Benitez.
"You can't just take recent results into account. Liverpool have improved over the last five years and that is due to Rafa. The club wasn't in the Champions League all the time when he first came to the club.
"Now people think it is normal for Liverpool to always be in the Champions League. Rafa has been the main man in doing that."
The 25-year-old went on to quash rumours that the Spaniard was not proactive with his charges.
He said: "I don't know who it is who says Rafa is distant from his players. I have never seen evidence of this. Rafa is never far from the players. He is always talking with the players because he wants us to improve."
Mascherano went on to highlight the importance of finishing in the top four, as anything else would be seen as a big step backwards.
The former Corinthians player believes that there would be no better way to kick-start a turn in the tide than a win against arch-rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby.
"We know the club has improved every season, so if we cannot finish in the top four this season, it will be really disappointing for everyone at the club," he said.
"The most important thing today is to go to Goodison Park and win there.
"A draw would not be a good result for us. Liverpool have to win. We have to win every game because we're a top club. We cannot think about going there and being happy with a point.
"It will be a special game. I don't know if it is the biggest game for us as players, but we know it's special for the supporters and for all the people involved in the club. We want to give the fans a happy day."
Adithya Ananth, Goal.com UK
There has been increasing speculation surrounding the future of the Reds boss, but the Argentine stresses that the gaffer has the backing he needs to bring about a positive change at Merseyside.
"You can't talk about changing the manager," Mascherano told the News of the World.
"Rafa signed a contract only a few months ago and I think all the supporters and the owners believe in Rafa and his project. Liverpool fans are behind Rafa Benitez.
"You can't just take recent results into account. Liverpool have improved over the last five years and that is due to Rafa. The club wasn't in the Champions League all the time when he first came to the club.
"Now people think it is normal for Liverpool to always be in the Champions League. Rafa has been the main man in doing that."
The 25-year-old went on to quash rumours that the Spaniard was not proactive with his charges.
He said: "I don't know who it is who says Rafa is distant from his players. I have never seen evidence of this. Rafa is never far from the players. He is always talking with the players because he wants us to improve."
Mascherano went on to highlight the importance of finishing in the top four, as anything else would be seen as a big step backwards.
The former Corinthians player believes that there would be no better way to kick-start a turn in the tide than a win against arch-rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby.
"We know the club has improved every season, so if we cannot finish in the top four this season, it will be really disappointing for everyone at the club," he said.
"The most important thing today is to go to Goodison Park and win there.
"A draw would not be a good result for us. Liverpool have to win. We have to win every game because we're a top club. We cannot think about going there and being happy with a point.
"It will be a special game. I don't know if it is the biggest game for us as players, but we know it's special for the supporters and for all the people involved in the club. We want to give the fans a happy day."
Adithya Ananth, Goal.com UK
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