Post by Taxigirl on Aug 25, 2004 11:33:09 GMT
skysports.planetfootball.com
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez did not enjoy watching his side fall to defeat at the hands of Grazer AK.
Leading 2-0 from the first leg of their UEFA Champions League qualifier, The Reds were expected to cruise through into the group stages.
It looked as if that would be the case as the home side enjoyed a right start, but things soon turned sour.
A dismal game was only brightened up by Mario Tokic's bolt from the blue which gave the visiting Austrians a 1-0 lead, and the massed ranks in the Kop the jitters.
Liverpool hung on to their aggregate lead and qualify for the lucrative group stage of the Champions League.
Although Benitez insists it is their qualification that was important, he admits he did not enjoy the match.
The former Valencia boss accepted as much of the blame as his players, but says that they have time to work on their performances for Europe.
"I didn't like the game," said Benitez. "We had problems, we were nervous and lost a lot of second balls.
"In games like this, you have to fight to the end and remember the score from the first game is not important.
"I am part of the team, everyone was to blame. We all still have a lot to learn, but this is a problem for us all, not just one man, not just the team but for me also.
"We did not play well in defence or attack. The reasons were that we became nervous and conceded possession too easily.
"But we have a good squad and we all have to work harder, learn from this and understand what was bad about it.
"When you concede a goal in such circumstances, you become nervous and have problems. We must learn that we must keep the ball better. Our problem is everyone's problem, the players and me. We need to work harder."
Tuesday's match at Anfield also saw a remarkable repeat of the refereeing gaff that has left Premiership official Andy D'Urso in trouble.
Like D'Urso, Spanish match official Luis Medina Cantalejo booked a player twice, but did not produce a red card.
Cantalejo raised a yellow card twice to GAK skipper Rene Aufhauser in just ten minutes, but somehow failed to send the Austrian off.
"I have seen the video and he made a mistake," said Benitez on the error. "But it's only a mistake and it's not important."
However, Cantalejo could be in trouble with Uefa, who will be examining the incident before making their decision.
"Under Uefa rules, we are not able to comment at the moment, but a report will be sent to Uefa for them to consider the incidents," said a Uefa spokesman.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez did not enjoy watching his side fall to defeat at the hands of Grazer AK.
Leading 2-0 from the first leg of their UEFA Champions League qualifier, The Reds were expected to cruise through into the group stages.
It looked as if that would be the case as the home side enjoyed a right start, but things soon turned sour.
A dismal game was only brightened up by Mario Tokic's bolt from the blue which gave the visiting Austrians a 1-0 lead, and the massed ranks in the Kop the jitters.
Liverpool hung on to their aggregate lead and qualify for the lucrative group stage of the Champions League.
Although Benitez insists it is their qualification that was important, he admits he did not enjoy the match.
The former Valencia boss accepted as much of the blame as his players, but says that they have time to work on their performances for Europe.
"I didn't like the game," said Benitez. "We had problems, we were nervous and lost a lot of second balls.
"In games like this, you have to fight to the end and remember the score from the first game is not important.
"I am part of the team, everyone was to blame. We all still have a lot to learn, but this is a problem for us all, not just one man, not just the team but for me also.
"We did not play well in defence or attack. The reasons were that we became nervous and conceded possession too easily.
"But we have a good squad and we all have to work harder, learn from this and understand what was bad about it.
"When you concede a goal in such circumstances, you become nervous and have problems. We must learn that we must keep the ball better. Our problem is everyone's problem, the players and me. We need to work harder."
Tuesday's match at Anfield also saw a remarkable repeat of the refereeing gaff that has left Premiership official Andy D'Urso in trouble.
Like D'Urso, Spanish match official Luis Medina Cantalejo booked a player twice, but did not produce a red card.
Cantalejo raised a yellow card twice to GAK skipper Rene Aufhauser in just ten minutes, but somehow failed to send the Austrian off.
"I have seen the video and he made a mistake," said Benitez on the error. "But it's only a mistake and it's not important."
However, Cantalejo could be in trouble with Uefa, who will be examining the incident before making their decision.
"Under Uefa rules, we are not able to comment at the moment, but a report will be sent to Uefa for them to consider the incidents," said a Uefa spokesman.