RAFA: WE CAN NOW START WORKING PROPERLY
Paul Eaton 12 October 2006
Rafael Benitez is looking forward to working with his players over the coming months without the disruption of international football.
The Liverpool boss has been frustrated that so many Euro 2008 qualifiers have broken up the early weeks of the new Premiership season, but with the majority of his players now facing five months without international football, Benitez believes the Reds will kick on and get their league season up and running.
He said: "It's good that we can now plan for weeks ahead and prepare what we are going to do with the players. We can start working properly.
"It's been frustrating for all the managers that we have had so many international weekends, particularly coming straight after the World Cup.
"You want to work with your players, talk to them and show them videos. On many days this season we have only had a small number of players training and it has been difficult.
"I have said before that it won't be until November before we show our true level and I still believe that. We have a lot of work to do to improve, especially in defence, and it's important we start winning games and get our confidence high."