Rafa Benitez Quotations

We started really well with two goals and good counter-attacks. But, after we conceded, it was difficult. But the most important thing is to start with a win.

We started off by controlling the game and were well organised and in the second half they did put some pressure on us but then we controlled the game at the end of the game,

We know each other so well and when you play a cup tie you know it will always be a difficult tie. We shall see what happens.

One of those goals clearly was not offside. I tried to show respect for the other team, but I was very disappointed with how the situation was controlled by the referee.

Maybe Birmingham will be more concerned about their league position and this might not be as important to them as staying in the division.

Pepe has an advantage because the team in front of him in defense are working so hard to restrict the chances we concede. The back four have been outstanding. They are organized and have better concentration than last season. But he is also an intelligent boy and he thinks hard about what he has to do in England.

I don't believe the gap between Chelsea and us is as big as the Premiership table shows,

I am a very proud man today because all managers like to arrive at the best clubs and we know Liverpool is one of the most important clubs in the world,

I have a lot of respect for Sofia, and they play well in attack,

I can't explain how you can control a game for 40 minutes, it was one-way (traffic), and still lose.

If you are going to win the FA Cup then you must first beat good teams to reach the final.

He was unfortunate last season because he had so many injury problems, but if he can stay fit then he will be an important member of our squad this year.

He hasn't been signed because he loves the club. He's been signed because he's one of the best goal scorers ever to play in the Premiership and he can score goals for us right now. He's got a wealth of experience and he gives us more attacking options.

He did a full training session and the day after he was injured. Now I hope that he will be fit again. It depends on his physical condition. We will decide whether he can play or not.

He's got high energy, always working and he's not bad with the ball. I think he can give us balance in midfield.

He's had two good years with Valencia where he has won trophies. I know him well and he's a very good player.

We looked organized, compact in defense and scored two good goals. People said we needed to score and we managed that ... I think we did all the things people are asking of us.

It is hard to say whether Steven would have picked up his injury if he hadn't played so many games, you just don't know.

I was with our supporters at the end. I could see him but he didn't want to.

That win last season was important for us. They know we can beat them,

We had more space in the second half and more pace -- and at the end 2-0 is a good result.

We still have the FA Cup and we still have the league and a Champions League qualification place to secure. We must put this behind us quickly. My players are very upset by losing the chance of retaining their European title, but the world must move on and we have other things to achieve.

We worked very hard and showed a lot of character after the midweek defeat by Charlton. It was an important win.

We worked really hard for the win...after the last performance (a 2-0 defeat at Charlton Athletic) we showed we had character.

This time we are going into the match with a lot of confidence. We have three clean sheets and two points away from home. That's not bad, but we know we need to start scoring goals. We've done that in midweek, so that shows that's not going to be a problem.

With Spurs and Arsenal having to play each other, it means we probably only need one more win to make sure of a top-four finish. We are very close now to securing third place, with second still something we have as a possibility.

We wanted to finish the job off today, ... in order to concentrate on preparing for the UEFA Cup final. Also, we were determined to do it for all the wonderful fans who have cheered us on today.

We had a good game, the same as the first leg. We have done a good job. When you have your supporters behind you, you run a bit more.

We lost a game we were controlling, we have to think about that. It was the last minute, so it was a disappointing day. It's always difficult to lose in the last minute. We know we have two games in hand, we know it's a long way and we have to keep going.

We are very close and doing better than last year. We want to think about the future and not other teams. We can still win it.

We did all the things we needed to do to win the game. If we played five more minutes the result could have been different.

Crouch is now scoring one goal per game, which is fantastic. But, most importantly, he is creating chances for other rest of the team.

I spoke to some players after the game and pointed out a few mistakes we made.

It was very good for him and important for him and the club.

Seeing these smiling faces is the greatest pleasure. They have been magnificent all season. They have been our 12th man. I have always said our fans are the best in England. Now I know they are the best in Europe too.

As a manager you do not want to see any player hurt. But sadly this is football and I can only offer my concern and just enjoy the victory.

You wouldn't get a Mexican referee and a Canadian linesman in the final of the World Cup.

This had been possibly one of the most difficult decisions I have had to take in my sporting career,

There were several reasons why it didn't happen in the summer: the price, the time, the decision of Michael and the fact that we already had good strikers at the club.

This is very different from the situation last season. This is very good for us. Now we can concentrate on the second round.

It's a big mistake of the referee. He was not watching the play and then he decided too quickly to show the (second) yellow card. Maybe when he watches the video he will have another idea.

It was clear no? Watching the TV? Unbelievable.

It was good for Harry to score a goal like that and in front of the Kop, considering all the problems he has had over the past season or so.

It was a tough game between two good teams. We didn't create a lot of opportunities, they didn't also. They are strong, good in defense, they pressed. We tried to do the same and it was difficult.

It will be a difficult game for both teams.

I travelled to Geneva with Sir Alex Ferguson for the UEFA coaches conference last week. He's a nice person.

It presents me with a problem when it comes to selecting the team but it's a good problem.

It is true that he offered to give up the captaincy but I spoke to some players and our idea was the same -- that Stevie should be our captain.

It is too early to be frustrated by a lack of goals and a performance like that.

It's really important for them and also for the team to see all the strikers scoring goals. Now the problem is for me. All of them are scoring goals, but it's a good problem and we will have more confidence for the forthcoming games.

It's important for me to have these players back. We have a lot of important games coming up and the more players I have available for selection the better,

It's incredible that we lost that game 4-1,

I want to thank all the players, the employees at Valencia, the press and especially the fans for their support over the past three years.

After the sending off we were in control of the game.

Their priority will be the league. They will be thinking about the league for sure.

I'm really disappointed with the last five minutes of the first half.

I intend to use all the players in my squad.

I know we have been inconsistent in the league and that is frustrating,

I'm very happy with him. He gives us many options.

I need to speak to the doctors but if he is not fit in two to three days it could still be dangerous in one week. I will speak to the England manager (Sven-Goran Eriksson) about it.

I need to know why after all the problems in the game there was only three minutes.

In England sometimes the other team starts with the long ball and that makes life difficult.

I remember Sir Alex sent me a letter of congratulation when we won the Champions League, praising the tactical changes we made at half-time.

I hope it will be like a European game. It will be better for us. We have a clearer idea in the Champions League and maybe we will have more confidence.

I preferred to lose Steve for 80 minutes than for one month. We tried playing second-half counter attacks but we couldn't score.

Chelsea are a good team but they can be beaten,

But we are confident in the Champions League and now we have Chelsea next, who have beaten us three times this season already. But we were very close to them in all three matches and could have won. We have nothing to lose, only something to win.

If he continues scoring goals it will be easy. He's working hard because he loves Liverpool. He knows my ideas and he will continue working.

If he is not fit for Friday it would be dangerous for him to play for England,

I am not going to continue as Valencia coach. I want to see it as positive that the club has tried to keep me on, but after the events of this season which have undermined my morale I have decided to reconsider my future at the club.