Benitez prioritises Premier League
Wednesday, 16 September 2009 08:26Liverpool 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 in their opening 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.
'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 tonight 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 tonight'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.
'But everyone in this stage is good, we have Lyon in our group and they are a very difficult team to face. The usual big names will be the ones again who will be chasing the trophy.
'Debrecen must be good or they would not be in the competition. They may well play very defensively, so we have to be patient and play as well as we did on Saturday against a Burnley team who also played in a similar fashion (Liverpool won that match 4-0).'
