RAFA BENITEZ suffered one of the most disappointing results of his Anfield career when losing to Reading last Wednesday – but admitted drawing at Stoke City felt worse.
The Reds looked poised to notch their third consecutive Premier League win on Saturday lunchtime when Sotirios Kyrgiakos bundled home from close range following a goalmouth melee, which was sparked by Fabio Aurelio’s free-kick.
Much to Benitez’s great frustration, though, Liverpool could not hang on to get the confidence-boosting victory they desperately needed, as Stoke’s late pressure paid dividends when Robert Huth prodded home in the last minute.
It was a moment indicative of the way Liverpool’s campaign has gone but Benitez refused to dwell on the matter and preferred to concentrate on the positives – namely the spirit and attitude they showed in the 1-1 draw.
“We tried to do our job and we showed here that the team is full of character,” he said.
“The effort of players was fantastic. We were so close to winning that you have to be disappointed but the performance was good against a team that is very physical. Every ball was in the air and followed by a challenge and a challenge and a challenge. With five or six players out injured I thought we did well. Normally in these situations you would see a goal but at this moment, OK, it is bad luck.
“But we still should have had two penalties that could have changed everything. The first penalty (appeal) Lucas went down early but it was a foul and a penalty anyway and the second one (on Lucas in injury time) was also a clear penalty.”
That the referee who failed to award those two decisions was Lee Mason served to irk Benitez further; he has clashed with that official twice this season – at Fulham and Portsmouth – and Liverpool’s manager hopes some action will be taken.
“They have people in charge of referees who analyse these things and they know,” he said. “We have to try to be positive after this game. It is important we stay positive and we have to be disappointed with the decisions. They were not the best.
“I don’t think you can change too many things even if you do say anything. The question is, they have people who are in charge and they have to decide when they have seen the performance of the referee on the pitch and then decide.
“It’s like me dealing with a player – if a player makes a mistake then you put the player on the bench.”
Though Liverpool were short of fit bodies, they showed great character throughout and the feeling of unity was only enhanced further by the fact injured skipper Steven Gerrard made the trip to the Britannia Stadium, even though he was suffering with a hamstring tweak. “He wanted to show his commitment,” Benitez said.
“He was in the dressing room with me, Sammy, Pellegrino and the rest of the players and staff. There is no problem. He is very disappointed that we have not won these games like everyone else. But he was here to help. He is the captain and he was here supporting the team. People were asking me about rumours of a disagreement but it is 100% not true. He knows it is important to be with the team.”
Meanwhile, Stoke boss Tony Pulis dismissed Benitez’s complaints saying: “You can look at all sorts of decisions. I did not think it was a free-kick before they scored and probably Sorensen will have to take the blame for conceding a poor goal.
“But we got up a fair momentum in the end and I felt we deserved the draw.
“I certainly did not think that there was anything wrong with Liverpool’s performance. Their commitment and attitude was spot-on, they had a real go.”
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