Koeman plots Reds demise

Domains4u · 12-19-2005, 10:02 AM

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been warned his Champions League reign is over.

Benfica coach Ronald Koeman is confident Benitez will follow in the footsteps of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson by exiting this season's competition.

Koeman piled pressure on Ferguson last week as his side beat United 2-1 at the Stadium of Light to dump the club out at the group stage for the first time in 10 years.

Now Holland legend Koeman is planning to send Liverpool packing too, although confidence is high in the Reds' camp after being handed one of the easier last-16 ties.

Koeman said: "Liverpool have a very strong side. They have a powerful defence and they don't concede many.

"Liverpool are favourites, but we eliminated Manchester United so we can dream of getting through to the quarter-finals."

Liverpool face the Portuguese champions in Lisbon on February 21, with the return at Anfield on March 8.

History and tradition will be on Liverpool's side going into the tie as they have beaten Benfica in all three previous meetings, twice going on to lift the trophy.

In 1978 they won a quarter-final tie 6-2 on aggregate before beating Bruges in the final, repeating their last-eight success six years on with a 5-1 overall triumph prior to the final win over AS Roma.

The last meeting in 1985 at the second-round stage was closer, with Ian Rush scoring a hat-trick in the first leg for a 3-1 win before a 1-0 second-leg defeat.

On this occasion Liverpool will again be favourites to progress, in particular after topping their qualifying group without losing a game and conceding just one goal.

Their win over United, though, sticks in the mind of Benitez, who is currently focusing on his side's World Club Championship final with Brazilians Sao Paulo in Yokohama this weekend.

"It is not an easy draw, but it is not the worst either," said Benitez.

"There are only good teams left in the competition at this stage and we could have been paired with Bayern Munich, for example.

"There are some very interesting matches coming up in this round - just look at Chelsea v Barcelona, Real Madrid v Arsenal and Bayern v AC Milan.

"I'm pleased to have avoided certain teams, but we will face a very tough match against Benfica.

"They are a very good team and they proved just what they can do by knocking Manchester United out of the competition.

"They are strong at home and they will have a good atmosphere behind them in the first leg.

"But we know they will be coming back to Anfield for the return leg and everyone in Europe knows what our fans are like on a European night at home.

"We had some very special games in Europe at Anfield last season and I know the fans will play a huge role when we take on Benfica.

"They are one of the most famous sides in Europe who have won the European Cup twice.

"So we will treat them with the respect they deserve, but we will approach the game with confidence in our own ability."

Such confidence is unsurprising on the back of seven successive wins in the Premiership and 11 clean sheets in all competitions, with Liverpool secretary Bryce Morrison knowing the club "are now there to be shot at".

"We're confident of progressing and defending the trophy. We have to be positive," said Morrison, who was also on hand to receive a silver salver at the Champions of Europe award ceremony prior to the draw.

As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the European Cup, all 21 previous winners of the competition were honoured, with Morrison representing Liverpool with other Reds officials in Japan.

"We think we are capable of success again this season, but we have to be cautious, although not complacent," added Morrison.

"Last season when we played in this competition we were underdogs.

"But in this particular game we will be classed as the favourites, so we must be right on the day because we are now there to be shot at."

The Lord · 12-24-2005, 10:01 PM

I think Liverpool have a great strength about them at the moment and anyone will find it hard to beat them.

Daz · 12-27-2005, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lord

I think Liverpool have a great strength about them at the moment and anyone will find it hard to beat them.

Agreed!!

Another win yesterday! Seems they are on fire :|

Horse_Bwfc · 01-09-2006, 10:36 AM

Well the mighty Trotters held them

Daz · 01-09-2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwfc_horse

Well the mighty Trotters held them

Glad they did they deserved to espically when they had two goals cleared off the line twice

They were unlucky not to win.

12-19-2005, 10:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
Domains4u Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 50 vCash: 500	Koeman plots Reds demise Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been warned his Champions League reign is over. Benfica coach Ronald Koeman is confident Benitez will follow in the footsteps of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson by exiting this season's competition. Koeman piled pressure on Ferguson last week as his side beat United 2-1 at the Stadium of Light to dump the club out at the group stage for the first time in 10 years. Now Holland legend Koeman is planning to send Liverpool packing too, although confidence is high in the Reds' camp after being handed one of the easier last-16 ties. Koeman said: "Liverpool have a very strong side. They have a powerful defence and they don't concede many. "Liverpool are favourites, but we eliminated Manchester United so we can dream of getting through to the quarter-finals." Liverpool face the Portuguese champions in Lisbon on February 21, with the return at Anfield on March 8. History and tradition will be on Liverpool's side going into the tie as they have beaten Benfica in all three previous meetings, twice going on to lift the trophy. In 1978 they won a quarter-final tie 6-2 on aggregate before beating Bruges in the final, repeating their last-eight success six years on with a 5-1 overall triumph prior to the final win over AS Roma. The last meeting in 1985 at the second-round stage was closer, with Ian Rush scoring a hat-trick in the first leg for a 3-1 win before a 1-0 second-leg defeat. On this occasion Liverpool will again be favourites to progress, in particular after topping their qualifying group without losing a game and conceding just one goal. Their win over United, though, sticks in the mind of Benitez, who is currently focusing on his side's World Club Championship final with Brazilians Sao Paulo in Yokohama this weekend. "It is not an easy draw, but it is not the worst either," said Benitez. "There are only good teams left in the competition at this stage and we could have been paired with Bayern Munich, for example. "There are some very interesting matches coming up in this round - just look at Chelsea v Barcelona, Real Madrid v Arsenal and Bayern v AC Milan. "I'm pleased to have avoided certain teams, but we will face a very tough match against Benfica. "They are a very good team and they proved just what they can do by knocking Manchester United out of the competition. "They are strong at home and they will have a good atmosphere behind them in the first leg. "But we know they will be coming back to Anfield for the return leg and everyone in Europe knows what our fans are like on a European night at home. "We had some very special games in Europe at Anfield last season and I know the fans will play a huge role when we take on Benfica. "They are one of the most famous sides in Europe who have won the European Cup twice. "So we will treat them with the respect they deserve, but we will approach the game with confidence in our own ability." Such confidence is unsurprising on the back of seven successive wins in the Premiership and 11 clean sheets in all competitions, with Liverpool secretary Bryce Morrison knowing the club "are now there to be shot at". "We're confident of progressing and defending the trophy. We have to be positive," said Morrison, who was also on hand to receive a silver salver at the Champions of Europe award ceremony prior to the draw. As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the European Cup, all 21 previous winners of the competition were honoured, with Morrison representing Liverpool with other Reds officials in Japan. "We think we are capable of success again this season, but we have to be cautious, although not complacent," added Morrison. "Last season when we played in this competition we were underdogs. "But in this particular game we will be classed as the favourites, so we must be right on the day because we are now there to be shot at."

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01-09-2006, 10:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
Horse_Bwfc Supervisor of Forums Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bridgwater Posts: 487 vCash: 500	Well the mighty Trotters held them Vaz Te, Joey O'Brien, Nolan, Hunt, Haim, Fojut .. The futures bright, the futures Bolton Wanderers

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12-24-2005, 10:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
The Lord Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: hmm. Posts: 326 vCash: 500	I think Liverpool have a great strength about them at the moment and anyone will find it hard to beat them.