Benitez expecting Red reaction after botched Italian job
The Anfield chief and his staff have looked deeply at all aspects of the worrying 2-0 defeat by Fiorentina on Tuesday, and know a repeat performance will severely damage the Reds’ domestic title credibility.
Benitez will not make wholesale changes, despite admitting “there was too much going wrong everywhere in Florence”.
But midfielder Javier Mascherano will return from a hamstring injury, while Danish defender Daniel Agger is fit following a back problem to put intense pressure on a struggling defensive pairing of Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel.
Tomorrow’s match against Chelsea will see Benitez renew his battle with Carlo Ancelotti, who was in charge of AC Milan for both of Liverpool’s recent Champions League finals against the Rossoneri, and the Spaniard is demanding a major improvement from his side.
Benitez said: “The reaction of the team has been positive, and we have looked at all aspects of what went wrong.
“We have worked in training to try to correct those mistakes. The staff have analysed everything, we looked at everyone.
“But we had too many players not doing well (against Fiorentina). It was not just one or two players but everyone.
“We cannot go into the Chelsea game playing like that. If you look at both sides, normally we each have around 25 chances a game. But if we allow Chelsea to have that many, we will lose.
“We must improve in defence, and we must play to our strengths and keep attacking and creating chances.”
He added: “The comparison between the two halves in Florence was that in the first period we had one chance and they had nine, but after the break we had 13 and they had just one.
“This could be a chance to change things. The players must not go into a game believing everything will be okay. The attitude of the players, their approach, has to be spot on. Top sides always think they will win and are confident. Chelsea will be like that so we must match that with the right mentality.
“If we have to change something, we will. So I expect even top players to work very hard. This game is important. If we win then people will be saying we can win the league. If we don’t they will say we have no chance.”
Benitez is full of admiration for Ancelotti, and says: “I am looking forward to seeing him again, it will be an interesting meeting.
“We have competed together at two Champions League finals and now for the first time in the league. He is a great manager, and hopefully we will meet again in another European final.
“He knows how to manage a top side, he had great experience at AC Milan and he is already doing a good job at Chelsea.’’
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