[Mighty T.A.L.]

Benitez: I can take the flak

Rafael Benitez says he will not let his critics get him down, claiming his record speaks for itself.
The Spaniard admits he is desperate to land the Premiership title but says he is more than happy with his achievements so far in his short spell at Anfield.

"To win four trophies in two years is something that not a lot of teams can say, no? Chelsea are the only other one to manage that in that time," said Benitez.

"The most important trophy in the world is the Champions League and we've won that. I don't know a lot of managers with the Champions League in their cabinet, and they're managing very, very good teams. It's not easy to win it.

"If you've won the trophies we have, you want to win the Premier League. I want to win the Premier League here with Liverpool. That is very, very clear. Our supporters want us to win trophies, every trophy, and if it's possible the Premiership.

"But I'm not really worried about the criticism because I have a lot of confidence in the squad and the team."

The Liverpool boss believes the Champions League triumph in 2005 is sometimes undervalued in some quarters.

He said: "People sometimes say that the Champions League is a lottery, but they haven't won it. If you have to play against Juventus, Olympiacos, Leverkusen, Chelsea and AC Milan, it's not easy, believe me. That shows how difficult it is to win it.

"I don't know how many English managers have worked abroad, but when you go to another country it is not easy.

"To win the Champions League in another country, when you're having to learn a different language and find out about the culture, is really good and I'm so pleased with that.

"You have to change your style of life. It's totally different. So to win the Champions League abroad is really amazing."

Benitez also believes some are labeling Liverpool's season a disappointment far too early.

"We are playing a lot of good games at home and people forget that," he said.

"People say we are having a terrible season, but we are only a third of the way through the league and we are in the next round of the Champions League and in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

"Our league situation is not the best but we know we can improve."

Source: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv

Most important now is to qualify to next seasons Champions League.I'm a little nervous we won't.If we can do that than I think the league performance haven't been that bad.Not when we think about the start of this season have been.