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I Don't Have To Win Trophies, Insists Liverpool Boss Rafael Benitez
Success is not just judged by trophies, claims Spaniard...
01-Nov-2009 9:33:20 PM
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has insisted he does not have to bring silverware to Anfield and has claimed that finishing second last season was a "massive achievement".
The Spaniard is currently under-fire after watching his side slump to six defeats in their last seven games, a run that has put a dent in their hopes of claiming either the Premier League or the Champions League whilst they have already been knocked out of the League Cup by Arsenal.
However, speaking to the Sunday Mirror, the Reds boss has insisted silverware isn’t everything and claimed that building a team is more important.
"I don’t agree when people say that you have to win trophies," he explained.
"I always say you have to be there, you have to be close, you have to create a group of players who can fight for trophies.
"We got 86 points last season, yet some people were saying that it wasn’t good because we finished second.
"I think reducing the gap between the top team and Liverpool to four points was a massive achievement.”
A defiant Benitez went on to defend his record at the club and insisted he had improved the team beyond recognition from when he took over in 2004.
"Trophies mean a lot to everyone. But the most important thing is to see progression and evidence that you are improving and able to fight for trophies," he added.
"It’s not just about one year. It is about what we can achieve in the future.
"People say that I have now been here five years. I say, look at the differences here now.
"Look at the value of the club before compared to the value of the club now.
"Look at the value of the squad before compared to the value of the squad now. You can see the progression."
Gill Clark, Goal.com
The Spaniard is currently under-fire after watching his side slump to six defeats in their last seven games, a run that has put a dent in their hopes of claiming either the Premier League or the Champions League whilst they have already been knocked out of the League Cup by Arsenal.
However, speaking to the Sunday Mirror, the Reds boss has insisted silverware isn’t everything and claimed that building a team is more important.
"I don’t agree when people say that you have to win trophies," he explained.
"I always say you have to be there, you have to be close, you have to create a group of players who can fight for trophies.
"We got 86 points last season, yet some people were saying that it wasn’t good because we finished second.
"I think reducing the gap between the top team and Liverpool to four points was a massive achievement.”
A defiant Benitez went on to defend his record at the club and insisted he had improved the team beyond recognition from when he took over in 2004.
"Trophies mean a lot to everyone. But the most important thing is to see progression and evidence that you are improving and able to fight for trophies," he added.
"It’s not just about one year. It is about what we can achieve in the future.
"People say that I have now been here five years. I say, look at the differences here now.
"Look at the value of the club before compared to the value of the club now.
"Look at the value of the squad before compared to the value of the squad now. You can see the progression."
Gill Clark, Goal.com
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