Benitez: League has no bearing on Europe
Rafael Benitez is certain Liverpool’s inconsistency in domestic competition will have no effect on their Champions League fate.
Already qualified for the last 16, Liverpool will finish top of Group C if they beat PSV Eindhoven at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Benitez, who will have Spain midfielder Luis Garcia back in contention after a hamstring injury, will stick with an attacking system using two wingers, believing the approach will be good enough to overcome the Dutch champions.
The Reds manager said: “What happens in our league form is not an issue, we have to show we are good enough in Europe and we will do that.
“We do have to improve, I do not recall ever seeing a perfect match – maybe a perfect second half in Istanbul (in the 2005 Champions League final) – but there is always something to improve on.
“At home, we are scoring goals and winning. Away, we are making chances and not winning. We have to start scoring the goals, it is as simple as that.
“We make so many chances, and when you watch the videos of away games it is even more disappointing. We are attacking and attacking, but I have confidence that we will start to score and to improve.
“The players know they can improve and they know they have quality. They also know I have confidence in them.”
He added: “It is good to have qualified for the last 16 in Europe. It will be good to beat PSV and make sure we do not have to go to Galatasaray needing anything to be top. I want to finish first, but you never know with the draw.
“Teams could be poor now but buy in January and be much better when the last 16 comes around in a few months.
“Their form, money and players can change so it is hard to predict but we need to finish top for our own confidence.
“It is clear we want to finish first. Maybe you could play against a team who are not as good as a team that wins a group but that is hard to judge.
“Teams will be different in a few months. So it is hard to say what the benefits of finishing top of the group are, but I would like to go in to the next game in Istanbul without any pressure.
“In front of our supporters we win, we score plenty of goals and we are happier. We need to show confidence and show people we are good enough.”
