Rafa confident of ‘much, much better’ form in Champions League

RAFAEL BENITEZ has promised Liverpool’s Champions League form will be “much, much better” when they bid this week to reach the group stages for the fifth successive time.

The Liverpool boss is acutely aware that his side’s third qualifying round first leg display away to Standard Liege earlier in the month was poor and they were fortunate to cling on to a 0-0 draw. That display in Belgium at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne has put at risk the crucial flow of UEFA prize money Liverpool needs, more than ever, to maintain their position amongst English football’s top four.

Now Benitez’s side must produce a winning display to make sure that they reach the group stages.

Benitez said: “Our display this time will be much, much better. Of that I am confident.”

Anything less could create the biggest financial crisis in the club’s recent history.

The American owners are facing huge costs to build a new stadium, and also to re-finance loans in the near future. And they have already transferred some of their debt to the club, which means that £30 million (€37m) a year has to be found to meet interest repayments.

In four years, Liverpool have claimed more than £100m (€125m) in prize money from UEFA, averaging more than £20m (€25m) a season, having reached two finals, a semi-final and the last 16.

Failure to even reach the group stages would cost Liverpool an immediate £12m (€15m) and put in question all Benitez’s plans.

Liege, who have never reached the Champions League group stages, have put Liverpool’s credibility and finances at great risk with their outstanding performance in the home leg.

Benitez knows Liverpool must win tomorrow night’s second leg. He said: “Our performance in Liege was poor, but the result was good. We did not concede an away goal and we hope that playing the second leg at Anfield will make a massive difference.’’

One man who won’t be involved is midfielder Javier Mascherano.

Mascherano led Argentina to a second consecutive Olympic title by beating Nigeria in the final, and he is heading back to Merseyside after his triumph.

The 24-year-old midfielder was due to leave China at the weekend, but Benitez does not think he will be prepared enough to face the Belgian champions.

Benitez said: “Javier will be back with us soon. But I do not think he will be in contention to play in Europe. He has spent too much time travelling and playing — that makes it difficult to be at your best.

“The same thing applied to Ryan Babel. He returned from China last week after Holland were knocked out, but I only really considered him as a substitute at the weekend.”