Benitez takes the blame for ’Pool slump

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez accepts it is up to him to sort out his side’s tactical problems and get their Barclays Premier League title challenge back on track.

Since going top of the table with a 6-0 victory over Derby on September 1, the Reds have struggled to a 1-0 win over Wigan and drawn against Portsmouth and Tottenham in the league. During that time they have also drawn away to Porto and lost at home to Marseille in the Champions League.

Many critics have pointed to the Spaniard’s infamous rotation policy for having caused a number of disjointed performances, while an international break after that Derby victory certainly cost them momentum.

While it has been noted Liverpool’s difficult period appears to have coincided with the departure of fitness coach and assistant manager Pako Ayesteran, Benitez stressed the only person responsible was himself.

“The problem is a tactical problem and it is my problem,” said Benitez, who after this recent international break now has to get his side ready for a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park tomorrow.

“Confidence (of the squad) is also an issue but not the physical condition of the players. We are running more and faster than before.”

Benitez was waiting for all his internationals to return after Euro 2008 qualifiers before obtaining reports on any potential injury problems but he dropped a broad hint that record signing Fernando Torres could play against Everton.

The Spain striker sustained an adductor injury last weekend while on international duty but after returning to Merseyside early, his progress has been good.

“Yesterday he was training with the ball and the physios. Hopefully today he will be better and then we have another day so we will wait and see,” said Benitez. “I need to decide if he is really fit or will be a risk. In this case maybe it is not a risk.”

The Liverpool boss said he had spoken to Torres about the significance of a match against their neighbours from across Stanley Park and had tried to relate it to the player’s experience in his homeland with Atletico Madrid.

“I was talking to Torres about this because if you live in Madrid it (a derby) is very similar,” he said.

“It is not the same because it is more physical but the atmosphere in Spain is very similar.”

Fellow striker Dirk Kuyt (hamstring), Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger (both metatarsal injuries) and Harry Kewell (long-term groin problem) are the other significant injuries.

Benitez also backed his captain Steven Gerrard to recover quickly from England’s disappointing 2-1 defeat to Russia.

The midfielder, leading the national side in the absence of injured John Terry, was criticised for missing a chance to make it 2-0 in Moscow.

However, Benitez said that would not affect Gerrard, whom he expected to be highly-motivated for the clash with Everton.