Defiant Rafael Benitez Defends Zonal Marking System After Defeat To Chelsea; Awaits Mascherano Return

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has defended his zonal marking system after the Reds went down to a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday night.

The Blues, who scored two of their goals through Branislav Ivanovic headers from corner kicks, are now in complete control of their Champions League tie ahead of next week’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.

But a defiant Benitez insists the zonal system is not to blame and that his side are not effectively out of the competition after the disastrous result.

“I say again that when you are marking man-to-man you see a lot of goals conceded every week,” he said to Sky Sports after the match.

“In this case, they are very strong in the air, we made mistakes and paid for them.

“No [we are not effectively out of the competition]. It will be very difficult, but that is football and in football anything can happen so we have to do well, try to score three goals and have a very very good game.”

When asked about his side’s season as a whole, the Spaniard insisted all was not lost.

Benitez added, “Hopefully it won’t [do any damage to our season overall].

“We have a very big game on Saturday [against Blackburn Rovers] – the Premier League is another competition and we have to be ready.

“Tonight we started really well but after that we were not doing well at all – giving the ball away and they were passing well.

“We lost against a good team because they played well and we didn’t play at our top level.”

Looking Ahead

In further statements to Goal.com's Mohammed Bhana, Benitez added some notes of optimism.

However, he also hinted that he felt that his side sorely lacked the presence of Javier Mascherano in defensive midfield.

He said, "We are disappointed but we have 90 minutes to go and we will try to do our best.

"We now have to think about Blackburn onSaturday and try to win.

"For the next game Mascherano will be available and we will be ready for the match.

"But we will have to cut out the mistakes, and that will be difficult."

Chris Myson, Goal.com