Valencia boss following United example
Valencia boss Rafael Benitez hopes the influence of Alex Ferguson and Steve McClaren will help his side destroy Liverpool’s Champions League dreams at Anfield tomorrow.
Benitez claims to have learnt a thing or two from the Manchester United manager and his former number two, now Middlesbrough boss and England assistant coach, McClaren.
The 42-year-old, who signed a new two-year contract at the Mestalla last week, said: “I travelled to observe Steve McClaren and Alex Ferguson when they were working with Manchester United.
“I have a fantastic relationship with Steve McClaren who is a great trainer.
“I was there learning and watching them work in ‘98 and ‘99.
“I am a tremendous lover of the English game and the thing I have tried to transplant to Valencia is that phenomenal aggressive competitiveness that you find in every English player.”
Benitez sends his Spanish champions into action at Liverpool as Group B leaders with an impressive 2-0 win over the Reds already under their belts.
Statistics however, are against the club. It is 41 years and 11 visits since they last won a match in England.
They will also have to make do without tough Argentinian defender Fabian Ayala, who is suspended after being sent off last week in the 2-2 draw with Basle.
His place will probably go to Carlos Marchena, while Benitez is likely to replace Amedeo Carboni with Fabio Aurelio in another change from the side that beat Liverpool in September.
Valencia arrived on Merseyside after a morale-boosting 5-1 Saturday win over Athletic Bilbao, in which the excellent Pablo Aimar scored a hat-trick.
Aimar said: “That sort of display puts us in the right mood to face Liverpool. But they are in top form too so we must be at our very best.”
Valencia (probable team): Canizares, Curro Torres, Marchena, Aurelio, Pellegrino, Rufete, Baraja, Albelda, Vicente, Aimar, Carew.
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