Ahead of their Champions League clash with Real Madrid, former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has praised the team’s recent performances and expressed confidence in their ability to compete.
Liverpool’s former manager, Rafael Benitez, has offered his analysis on the Reds’ recent performances and their chances in the upcoming Champions League match against Real Madrid. Speaking to Spanish sports daily Marca, Benitez noted that Liverpool had appeared lackluster just a few weeks ago, but have since turned a corner and are now looking stronger and more confident.
With several key players returning from injury, including Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, Benitez praised the team’s options up front, highlighting the additional quality provided by Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota. He also acknowledged that the return of Virgil van Dijk has given Liverpool added security at the back.
Benitez told Spanish sports daily Marca: “They were less scary a few weeks ago, but now with players coming back from injury and with the pace and intensity that they can bring into a game, anything can happen.
While Liverpool currently sit in eighth place in the Premier League standings, with 35 points and a seven-point deficit from fourth-placed Tottenham, Benitez believes that they have the potential to improve further in the coming weeks. With the pace and intensity that Liverpool can bring to a match, Benitez suggested that anything is possible, and that the team has the ability to change completely in just 20 days.
“Salah did not have, without [Sadio] Mane, that connection with the forwards but with Firmino he is fine and with Jota and Darwin, they have options.
“The team are stronger now, Van Dijk’s return will give them security.
“Are they a bit inferior from a few years ago? Maybe yes, but the team can change completely and in 20 days, they can be even stronger.”
The first leg of Liverpool’s Champions League last 16 tie against Real Madrid is set to take place on Tuesday night at Anfield, and the Reds will be hoping to build on their recent positive results and progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.