And yes, you can exprct a storm at neverton because of this. The only thing i can say...the truth hurts
http://www.teamtalk.com/teamtal....00.html
Rafa stokes Mersey fires
Rafael Benitez claims Liverpool are a better team than Everton and insists they can catch their Mersey rivals in the race for Champions League qualification.
Everton are fourth, seven points ahead of Liverpool who can close the gap to four points if they beat Fulham at Anfield on Saturday.
With Everton not playing until Sunday at Southampton, a Liverpool victory will put pressure on David Moyes' men.
The battle is set to reach boiling point during the final 13 games of the season, with the 20 March Mersey derby at Anfield a match that could be worth £20m in European cash.
Benitez said: "Sure, I think we are better than Everton. In my opinion we have a better team and better players.
"But they are having a very good season and they are working very hard and winning lots of games because they have a great team spirit. But I still think we are a better team."
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has also supported his manager's view, claiming this week: "We can reel them back in. We're a better side than Everton in my opinion. If we put a run together and beat them at Anfield I am sure we can finish above them.
"We are fighting for fourth spot and every league fixture between now and the end of the season is going to be a must-win game. We can't afford to lose any more ground on Everton if we want to finish above them."
Benitez, who will have Dietmar Hamann and Antonio Nunez returning from suspension against Fulham, will for the second time in a week be playing a day earlier than Everton.
The manager added: "We try to only think about the next game and try not to worry about other teams. People keep asking me whether I am watching the other games or the fixtures of opponents.
"I say, no. The most important thing is to work with your own team to improve your level and confidence.
"If you can reduce the gap now, great. But if it means we are still trying to close the gap in the last month, we will keep trying. We will fight right to the end to achieve what we want.
"I have not seen Everton's midweek game. I saw the result and said 'OK, they've won, nothing more.' It is then for me to concentrate on our next game."
He added: "If we win before Everton play, then it is an advantage, if not then it becomes a problem. But it is not important for us to worry about when they play or what they do. If we can win our games then we can reduce the gap.
"It is not only important to win but it matters how you win. Against Watford and Charlton we have produced very good performances, and that means we can say to the players 'look, you can see how you have played, now do it again.'
"We sat down and discussed all the things we were doing badly, so when we went to Watford for the Carling Cup and then Charlton, we were confident. We changed the role of some players, and we have recovered our confidence and shown the right mentality.
"We stopped our opponents getting into our box and shooting. That is what has pleased me more than anything.
"I do not like to talk too much about the injuries, but with eight players needing operations it is obviously more difficult for us. I just think that next season things will be different."
http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s386/st66567.htm?fromrss=1
BENITEZ: WE'RE BETTER THAN EVERTON
inside AnfieldBy J Wade - February 4 2005
Rafael Benitez today insisted Liverpool will win the race for the final Champions League place and declared: "We're better than Everton."
The Reds remain seven points behind Everton following their fortunate victory over Norwich in midweek, but Benitez is remaining steadfast in the belief that his team will eventually overtake the Toffees.
And such is his confidence in his players, he hasn't even looked at the remaining fixtures for the other teams competing for that coveted fourth place.
"Sure, I think we are better than Everton. In my opinion we have a better team and better players," he said.
"But they are having a very good season and they are working very hard and winning lots of games because they have a great team spirit. But I still think we are a better team.
"People ask me if I've studied the schedules of other teams, but I haven't. I'm only intersted in my team and what we have to do.
"I didn't see the Everton game in midweek and haven't watched it since. I saw the score at the end of the game and that was it. I said to myself 'okay, it's seven points again'. What they or any other team does isn't of interest to me really.
"We know what we need to do and that is to reduce the gap. Even if we come to the final month of the season and there is a gap to close then we will fight to do it. I can promise you we will fight to the end.
"Everton have won a lot of games 1-0 this season but I am sure they will lose more games before the end. When they do we have to take advantage. That's what I mean about it being up to us. If we play well and win games then I am confident we will get fourth place. I've never changed my opinion on that."
Benitez backing Reds
by Paul Higham - created on 4 Feb 2005
VICTORIES OVER LIVERPOOL
http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.as....ll_Home
Rafa Benitez is still confident Liverpool can beat Everton to fourth place in The Premiership, insisting that his side are better than their Merseyside rivals.
Benitez has had a mixed first season in charge at Anfield so far, with his side showing some signs of promise but struggling for consistent form.
The Spaniard has had some major injury problems to contend with, but still believes his men can qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League by pipping Everton to fourth place in the table.
David Moyes' side have been the surprise package of the season and hold a seven-point advantage over their fierce rivals, but Benitez still thinks The Reds can do it.
"Sure, I think we are better than Everton," said Benitez. "In my opinion we have a better team and better players.
"But they are having a very good season and they are working very hard and winning lots of games because they have a great team spirit. But I still think we are a better team.
"People ask me if I've studied the schedules of other teams, but I haven't. I'm only interested in my team and what we have to do.
"We know what we need to do and that is to reduce the gap. Even if we come to the final month of the season and there is a gap to close then we will fight to do it. I can promise you we will fight to the end.
"Everton have won a lot of games 1-0 this season but I am sure they will lose more games before the end. When they do we have to take advantage.
"That's what I mean about it being up to us. If we play well and win games then I am confident we will get fourth place. I've never changed my opinion on that."
Thats Moyes team talk for the derby sorted
