by maypaxvobiscum » Tue Dec 02, 2008 6:28 am
Liverpool co-owner George Gillett made a surprise visit to Anfield to see his side draw 0-0 against West Ham.
It is thought, Gillett was in Liverpool for discussions with boss Rafael Benitez over the Spaniard's proposed new contract.
Liverpool have only a one point lead over Chelsea at the top of the table.
Benitez insisted that he is still waiting for "more communication" with the owners, while making it clear that he is not trying to re-sign Michael Owen, despite speculation.
Benitez said: "George Gillett is here, but there is no news yet on the contract. We are waiting for further communication, we do not have that yet. We will finish our conversations soon and start thinking about football.
On the disappointment of dropping two more points - tonight's was their third 0-0 draw against supposed lesser teams at home this season following draws with Stoke and Fulham - Benitez said: "It was frustrating and I felt we deserved to win.
"We worked from the beginning to the end trying to win, and that is why West Ham were able to have counter-attacks in the second-half.
"The aim was to play well, and the team did just that, much better than before.
"The fans will be disappointed, we are disappointed, but we are at the top of the table. If we keep winning then our rivals will have to win everything too.
"We had plenty of possession, we passed and moved the ball and had chances. If you play badly, do not have chances and your opponents have control then you can worry. That is not the case.
"We were much better and West Ham had chances only because we were attacking.
"I understand the crowd are disappointed after a home draw, but they can see we are top of the table.
"It is a question of confidence. If we score first in this type of game then we will grow and win. Some players may be lacking in confidence, but if we keep creating chances we will be okay."
Benitez admitted that Irish striker Robbie Keane was frustrated with his withdrawal in the second half, and went on to deny any link with a transfer window move for former Red Owen.
"Robbie Keane, when he came off, was disappointed. But players always want to be out on the pitch for 90 minutes, but we were thinking of different solutions and David Ngog did well.
"We will have Fernando Torres back soon, and I can assure everyone that clearly we are not going for Michael Owen. Clearly.
"Every week it changes. We have won more point so if we win at Blackburn next we will stay top. We should enjoy it, we have one more point and everyone should be pleased."
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has now seen his side go three matches undefeated, with three clean sheets.
He said: "We played a very good match, we had chances -as many as Liverpool - and we certainly deserved a point.
"I am very pleased with my team performances of late. It was another clean sheet and we knew that was something we had to achieve.
"We are working well as a group and we are starting to get the results.
"Our goalkeeper Robert Green was outstanding, but then so were Matthew Upson and Craig Bellamy.
"Robert is getting what he deserves for working so hard. He is performing well and if he continues to play at this level then he will certainly interest the England manager.
"Now we must not lose this momentum. We have Spurs next at home and that will be hard. But things at last seem to be going our way.
"As for Craig (Bellamy). Maybe he felt that he had something to prove, and he produced an awesome performance. I like him as a player not just because of what he does up front, but the amount of work he puts in to help the midfield."