Rafa: 'Reds can still qualify'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Having only drawn in Porto and lost at home to Marseille, Liverpool are now bottom of the group and may even have problems qualifying for the UEFA Cup.

But a defiant Benitez said: "Obviously it is very difficult now for us to get through but I believe we still can. There are three games left and we must win all three, but we can do that."

Liverpool were behind on 13 minutes with a Serdar Ozcan effort deflected home off Sami Hyypia.

And from then on Besiktas withstood everything Liverpool could throw at them and broke away to grab a second with nine minutes left through Brazilian striker Bobo. Steven Gerrard's late header started a desperate fightback but Besiktas hung on for a famous victory.

And Benitez added: "I was pleased with the performance, but we just could not take our chances. When you have 28 attempts on goal as the away side and nearly 60% of possession, that should usually be enough to win the match.

"We were punished for one mistake in the first half having had so many chances. Their goalkeeper was outstanding but we should have taken more of our chances."

Liverpool face Besiktas next at Anfield and then a home tie with Porto before their visit to group leaders Marseille for the final group match in December.

Benitez said: "We have to wait to see now what we must do, how the numbers add up. The fact that Porto drew with Marseille in the other group game tonight was a help for us, it certainly improves our options."

He added: "If we continue to play like we did in this match, with so much dominance, we have a chance. I do not see this as a test for me as a manager, this is football, if you keep doing the right things like we did here, we will achieve what we want."