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Liverpool Confident Of Reaching Champions League Last 16
Rafa has not given up hope.
Nov 8, 2009 12:07:16 PM
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has not given up hope of qualifying for the later stages of the Champions League this season.
Escaping the group stages is looking like an uphill struggle for the Reds after losses to both Lyon and Fiorentina, who currently occupy the top two places in the group.
But the Spaniard still believes Liverpool can seize the possibility and, even if they fail to go beyond their group, will not be affected financially.
"I spoke to Christian Purslow [Liverpool's managing director] the other day about the finances," he said, according to skysports.com.
"The first thing, though, is that we have confidence we can still reach the last 16 of the Champions League this season.
"But whatever happens, the budget was done for this season based on us only qualifying for the group stages. And we did that, that is complete.
"Whether we can still bring in more money, we will wait and see. The commercial department is working very hard, for the next season [in Europe] it is a question of time."
Benitez is also sure his team will qualify for Europe's most prestigious competition again next year, despite currently sitting a long way outside the top four.
He added: "The Premier League is a long race, we must keep going. I am confident the team will finish in the top four and we are able to continue to do well in Europe, so let's start against Birmingham [on Monday] with the right result.
"We have to do our job against Birmingham, and then I can guarantee that things will start to get easier."
Goal.com
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section!
Escaping the group stages is looking like an uphill struggle for the Reds after losses to both Lyon and Fiorentina, who currently occupy the top two places in the group.
But the Spaniard still believes Liverpool can seize the possibility and, even if they fail to go beyond their group, will not be affected financially.
"I spoke to Christian Purslow [Liverpool's managing director] the other day about the finances," he said, according to skysports.com.
"The first thing, though, is that we have confidence we can still reach the last 16 of the Champions League this season.
"But whatever happens, the budget was done for this season based on us only qualifying for the group stages. And we did that, that is complete.
"Whether we can still bring in more money, we will wait and see. The commercial department is working very hard, for the next season [in Europe] it is a question of time."
Benitez is also sure his team will qualify for Europe's most prestigious competition again next year, despite currently sitting a long way outside the top four.
He added: "The Premier League is a long race, we must keep going. I am confident the team will finish in the top four and we are able to continue to do well in Europe, so let's start against Birmingham [on Monday] with the right result.
"We have to do our job against Birmingham, and then I can guarantee that things will start to get easier."
Goal.com
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section!
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