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Rafa calls for Fulham focus

Joe Curran

21st Nov 2008 - Latest News

Rafa Benitez today called on his Liverpool players to focus on getting their eleventh victory of the season against Fulham tomorrow.

The Reds go into the Anfield clash looking to surpass their best ever start to a Premier League season after taking 35 points from their opening 14 games, which is three more than Liverpool's previous best start to a Premier League season in the 2001/02 campaign.

But Benitez insists that the only way his team can keep winning is if they stay focused on the match in hand.

Click here to watch our eight minute chat with Rafa>>

"We know that it can be more difficult after an international break, and Fulham have a lot of players with quality and energy, so it will be a difficult game for us," said Benitez.

"They have two strikers who are doing well, they have a lot of positive things going for them so that is why they are doing well.

"And Roy Hodgson is a good manager and he is doing well there. I could tell he is a clever manager from the first time I met him last season.

"But we have a lot of confidence, so if we can keep playing well, I am sure we will continue winning games.

"The only way to keep winning is to keep the team focused for every game."

Benitez also confirmed that Steven Gerrard will take no part in the match as he continues to recover from the leg injury he sustained last weekend.

"Gerrard is not fit - he cannot play tomorrow so that is the only thing that is important for me," said Benitez.

"I think that the best thing now is that we don't have any international games unti March, so I am happy with the situation now and I am happy to concentrate on my team.

"I have said before that the squad is better now, and Steven is an important player for us, but we have different players with different qualities and we can manage with them."



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