Benitez: League is fans' priority

Wed, 16 Sep 19:19:16 2009

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez accepts the club's fans want the Premier League title this season more than they want European glory.

It is always a tough choice for the Anfield faithful, so proud are they of the five European Cups the club have achieved in their history. But as Liverpool prepare to face Hungarian champions Debrecen tonight in their Champions League Group E opener, those fans would probably settle for a decent European run and their first league crown for 20 years.

Benitez said: "The Premier League is the priority for the fans. But the Champions League is massive, and we will not forget the domestic cups because this club are expected to do well in everything."

He added: "It is always important to approach every competition to win it. But in a top side like Liverpool, the priority for the fans has to be the Premier League.

"Then the Champions League, the FA Cup and the Carling Cup. If you wanted an order, that is probably it. But I am greedy, I want to win the Premier League and the Champions League."

Benitez will have midfielder Javier Mascherano back in his squad after the Argentina captain's recovery from a pelvic problem.

But it is certain that Benitez will stick with Brazilian midfielder Lucas after the 22 year-old's impressive start to the season.

Of Wednesday's match, Lucas said: "It is important that we start the competition well, everybody always thinks Liverpool will get close to the final, so it is really important for the players to match that expectation.

"Debrecen are a good side, we know they have won five games in a row, but we have the responsibility to win in front of our own fans.

"The key is to start well, win the first and second game and that makes the challenge easier to handle."

 

Comment 1 - 20 of 20

Sort comments by: Most recent
  1. All United Fans go on about as ever is winning the­ prem, whats changed? just the name, still the top­ flight league of english football isn't it?
    So­ Liverpool haven't won it in over 18 years, so what?­ where were all you hiding before the 1990's?­ probably in the second division after your old glory­ boy denis law put that one past ya in a city­ shirt......

    From chrisb92, on Thu 17 Sep 6:38
  2. go to you tube and type "man united" there is­ a BRILLIANT video on there called "United­ Rules"

    From pegez, on Thu 17 Sep 6:28
  3. If you find it boring vegas why dont you do the obvious­ and comment on your own team pages. Even better why not­ go and rob the offy you dirty manc scum bag.

    From MARC, on Thu 17 Sep 6:18
  4. NO18/19
    WHATEVER.....Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Zz z z z z z­ z z z z z

    From vegasmufc, on Thu 17 Sep 4:41
  5. MANCHESTER'S BID TO STAGE THE 2012 OLYMPIC­ GAMES
    ------------------------------------------------
    ­
    In an attempt to influence the members of the­ International Olympic
    Committee on their choice of­ venue for the games in the year 2012, the
    organisers of­ Manchester's bid have drawn up an itinerary for the­ opening and closing ceremony
    A copy has been leaked and­ is reproduced below.

    OPENING­ CEREMONY
    ----------------

    The Olympic flame will be­ ignited by a petrol bomb thrown by a native
    of the city­ (preferably from the Moss Side area) wearing­ the
    traditional balaclava. The flame will be contained­ in a large chip-pan
    situated on the roof of the­ stadium.
    THE CLOSING­ CEREMONY
    --------------------

    Entertainment will­ include formation rave dancing by members of­ the
    Salford Health in the Community anti-drug­ campaigners, synchronised
    rock throwing, and music by­ the Stockport Community Choir. The Olympic
    flame will­ be extinguished by someone dropping an old washing­ machine
    on to it from the top floor of the block of­ flats next to the stadium.
    The stadium will then be­ boarded up before the local athletes break
    into it and­ remove all the copper piping and the central­ heating
    boiler.

    From MARC, on Thu 17 Sep 4:12
  6. Just stating what a filthy depressed city you live in­ Vegasmuff. Manchester is the armpit of the Northwest.

    From MARC, on Thu 17 Sep 3:57
  7. no16
    Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z z z z z z z z z­ z z z ...........................
    you,d send a­ ffukin' glass eye to sleep

    From vegasmufc, on Thu 17 Sep 3:10
  8. In 2007/08 62% of robberies in England and Wales were­ recorded by three police forces: Metropolitan, Greater­ Manchester and West Midlands.
    Crime on Merseyside is­ at its lowest level since January 2001.
    In 2007/08,­ the Greater Manchester region was tied with South­ Yorkshire for having the highest percentage of people­ victimized by household crimes (23%). In comparison,­ Merseyside were far lower down the list with 14%.­
    Greater Manchester has a higher percentage of people­ victimized by personal crime (6%) compared to­ Merseyside (5%).
    There are more people unemployed in­ Manchester than Liverpool. Between July 2007 and June­ 2008, 9.4% of Manchester residents who were eligible­ for employment were unemployed compared to 7.5% in­ Liverpool.
    Dirty manc skip lickers.

    From MARC, on Thu 17 Sep 2:31
  9. Wahey Sid's come up with something­ original.......... oh no wait a minute my mistake­ he's still talking the same old sh it. For your­ information im not on the dole you to55er. Whats your­ excuse for being here?

    From MARC, on Thu 17 Sep 2:14
  10. NO9
    UMM LIVEINTHEPAST FC DO IT 1ST DO THEY ?
    I THINK­ YOU WILL FIND THAT WE WON THE EUROPEAN CUP 1ST AND 8YRS­ BEFORE YOU!
    THE "ONLY" ENGLISH TEAM TO DO­ THE TREBLE(EURO CUP,PREM LEAGUE, FA CUP)
    THE ONLY­ ENGLISH TEAM TO WIN THE DOUBLE DOUBLE.
    THE ONLY THING­ YOUR CLINGING ON TO TO IS 2 MORE EURO TROPHIES,NOT MUCH­ IS IT ?
    IT ENDED FOR LIVEINTHEPAST FC WHEN THE PREM­ STARTED !
    GLORY HUNTING COCKNEY ? HA HA HA HA
    ANOTHER­ COMMENT FROM A SKY TV SEASON TICKET HOLDER AND NOT A­ SCOUSE EVEN !
    LIVEINTHEPAST FC THE GREATEST CLUB IN­ ANFIELD AND......................
    FOREVER IN UNITEDS­ SHADOW

    From vegasmufc, on Thu 17 Sep 2:05
  11. Home office facts sid
    Manchester is in a worse state­ than liverpool crime, rapes, knifecrime,­ guncrime,muggins,people on the dole,Take a look sidv­ home office facts not mine.
    So there you go sid how­ does it feel to be educated by a scouser

    From Big Bopper, on Thu 17 Sep 1:54
  12. Oh gawd, Bike 69 mabaho ka, Big Blooper, Michael and­ MARC have just got out of bed. I guess they’ll be going­ down the dole office to sign on later. Carry on­ Claiming! Yak! Yak! Yak!

    From Sid, on Thu 17 Sep 1:47
  13. Premier League 85% priority
    Champions League 10%­ priority
    FA Cup 3% Priority
    Carl Cup 2%

    From Michael, on Thu 17 Sep 1:26
  14. Just remember vegasmufc what ever man ure do­ liverpool done it 1st.So if thats the case and it­ is.Man ure are in liverpools shadow.Football wasnt­ invented when the prem started vegas.Gloryhunting­ cockney.

    From Big Bopper, on Thu 17 Sep 1:25
  15. Never mind vegas, In a couple of years you might get­ your 5th euro cup, Then again i doubt it. LFC always a­ couple of steps ahead of you arent they and you dont­ like it.
    Hence the reason you cant help but click open­ these Liverpool stories. You are a sad man filled with­ bitter burning jealousy.

    From MARC, on Thu 17 Sep 1:17
  16. NO1
    DON'T YOU MEAN
    THE FIRST PREM !
    FOREVER IN­ UNITEDS SHADOW

    From vegasmufc, on Thu 17 Sep 0:51
  17. rafascrackingup, You mong, what "FACTS" do­ you have to back up your pathetic statement, ­ NOTHING,
    thought as much.
    Yet another thick as s h1t­ fan who needs an education !

    From rock lobster, on Thu 17 Sep 0:18
  18. rafascrackingup. A random stupid sentence made by you­ is a fact? Yawn. Your stupidity is astounding.

    From Dhritiman, on Thu 17 Sep 0:17
  19. rafascrackingup, That means that Liverpool will win­ something! And that will be the prem and champs league.

    From Gus, on Wed 16 Sep 23:54
  20. Well said Rafa.The prem first.

    From Big Bopper, on Wed 16 Sep 23:47
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account