Benitez baffled by inconsistent Reds

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has admitted he is baffled by the Reds’ inconsistency.

After tussling with a hefty injury list and dismal mid-season form, the former Valencia coach finally thought he was getting to grips with the task of restoring the Anfield outfit to former glories.

Four wins in seven Premiership games allowed the Reds to close the gap on fourth-placed Everton to a single point and a Champions League victory over Juventus defied critics who claimed Liverpool were nothing more than makeweights in the competition they have won more than any English club.

On Saturday they travelled to face a Manchester City side with just one victory in eight games but the Liverpool that arrived at Eastlands turned out to be the one beaten by Graz, Birmingham and Southampton during the darkest days of a difficult campaign.

On balance of play and chances created the visitors should have been put out of their misery long before Kiki Musampa fired home Lee Croft’s cross in the final minute to earn Stuart Pearce his first victory as City boss.

Benitez was left to question Liverpool’s naivete and raise doubts over their ability to snare the Champions League qualifying slot.

“Our inconsistency is difficult to explain,” he said.

“One game we play good football and win, the next game we do not appear to have a clear idea of what to do.

“Mentally, if we play at the same level as we have done in the Champions League this season, we can beat any team, if we don’t it is difficult.

“The players all know finishing fourth is more important than going further in the Champions League and yesterday we had a chance to draw level with Everton.

“I accept it is impossible to win every game, so the players have to learn when you cannot win, it is important to draw.”

Benitez is clearly not prepared to tolerate the attitude which saw Liverpool gift City possession from their own throw-in, fail to pick up Croft, who advanced into space off Bradley Wright-Phillips’ pass, before dropping the ball right into Musampa’s path for the Dutchman to rifle into the corner.

“It is a throw-in for us in the last minute, we concede possession, we concede a goal and lose the game,” he moaned. “It is very disappointing.

“We had a chance to put pressure on Everton, now we can do nothing.”

With Steven Gerrard largely shackled by Joey Barton, there were few in red shirts who could claim to be happy with their contribution.

In contrast, City possessed half a dozen dervishes. Pearce flatly denied speculation that chairman John Wardle has told him the manager’s job is his.

But such is the galvanising effect the former England skipper has had on a team that was heading nowhere fast under Keegan’s listless stewardship, it will not take many more wins for official confirmation to be received.

Aside from Barton, Robbie Fowler, Richard Dunne and Stephen Jordan were excellent. David James quickly atoned for his only error by denying Anthony Le Tallec a scoring chance, while Croft pressed his claims for a starting berth at Fulham next week.

Even Musampa, who wasted one good chance and smashed another against the bar, was more effective than he has been at any other stage of his fledgling City career.

“I am still in a transitional period,” said Pearce. I have no idea what results I will need to get to keep the job but I will do everything I can to ensure I am still in it after the summer.”