INTERVIEW WITH RAFA

Jimmy Rice 04 March 2008 (liverpoolfc.tv)

Firstly Rafa, you must have been very happy with the performance on Sunday?

Yes, it was a good game. The team concentrated and, after the first minutes, it was a very good game.

You've had a bit of time to reflect - what pleased you most about the display?

The players knew what they had to do, they knew it was a difficult stadium to go to. So, we needed to fight for every ball, every tackle and every challenge.

You had a bit of luck early on with the goal and Bolton hitting the crossbar – you'd probably say you were due a bit of good fortune, wouldn't you?

Yes, I think it was difficult with that deep free-kick. It hit the crossbar but these things can happen, especially against Bolton. Pepe showed his quality with the save he made, so yes, we were a little bit lucky at the beginning of the game, but after that we started doing to right things and we controlled the game.

The Bolton result lifted you temporarily above Everton but they got another good result against Pompey – did you see any of that game?

I saw part of their game, but not all of it. You know my idea, and that's to concentrate on my own team.

Can you see the race for fourth becoming an all Merseyside affair?

It seems like it now, but Aston Villa also have a lot of confidence and Blackburn won the other day away from home. You never know, but maybe you can say that Liverpool, Everton and Aston Villa will be close.
How important is the next derby at Anfield on March 30 going to be?

It could be really important, but it depends on the other games before then. We'll have to wait and see the position both teams are in before the game but clearly it will be an important game.

David Moyes keeps insisting Liverpool are favourites – do you think that's just a bit of mind games?

Yes.
In previous seasons Liverpool have maybe become distracted by Europe at this stage. How confident are you your team can stay focused on getting fourth spot?

I have confidence. It's not easy when you play in the Champions League but we have some experience. We know we have to concentrate and be focused on every game, and see if we can progress in both competitions.

Looking ahead to West Ham – how frustrating has it been waiting for this game in hand to arrive?

Really frustrating. You are always expecting it to come either next week or the week after, but then they said it was going to be in March! Now it has come and we'll be really pleased if we end the game with a win.

This is arguably one of the most important games of the season despite the fact it's not a top of the table clash, isn't it?

Yes, it's really important for us. That fourth spot is always important and if we win this game we are there, and everything will depend on us.

These two teams played each other just over a month ago when they scored a last-minute penalty – how hard was that to swallow?

Really difficult. I can promise you I was very disappointed! We controlled the last 20 minutes – we attacked and attacked, but then conceded after one of our own corners. It was very frustrating for me.

I suppose there's a lesson there somewhere?

The lesson is that sometimes, if you cannot win the game in 90 minutes, you must not lose the game in the last minute.

They were thrashed by Chelsea at the weekend – is that a positive or negative for Liverpool going into this game?

It's difficult to say. My idea is for it to be positive, because maybe they will be low on confidence. But maybe they'll say to themselves, 'We need to show character and quality.' I prefer to say it will be positive but really I don't know.

What kind of dangers do they pose as a team?

They have some good players. Carlton Cole is a target man, and Ashton when he plays. They have good wingers: Ljungberg can get into the box. They have some key players who can be dangerous.

They're a good counter-attacking side, then?

Yes, because they have pace and energy. It's true they are good on the counter-attack.

What do you make of the job Alan Curbishley is doing at Upton Park?

It's been a difficult season for him because he's had a lot of injuries, but I think he's doing a good job now. Sometimes you lose, sometimes you win – but you can see his team is strong enough.

Just a word on Javier Mascherano – it's his first chance to play against his former club. Do you think he'll be eager to prove a point?

I don't think so. Javier is a player who has already shown the quality he has. I think it will be another important game for him, but nothing else.

Any injury news, Rafa?

Steve Finnan is not available yet and Voronin is much better but cannot play. At the moment everyone else in the squad is fit.

Can we expect Carra to fill in again at right-back?

It's an option. I need to think about it. Arbeloa and Carra are options on the right.