Benitez tries to play down expectations

Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez admits that success at his previous club Valencia, has only added to expectations of him in England.

The Premiership club have struggled this season and they currengtly lie in fifth spot, one place outside of the automatic fourth Champions League place – currently occupied by neighbours Everton.

“When I arrived in Valencia, people said he is not a famous manager. Here I arrived with two leagues and one UEFA Cup, a lot of trophies, and then it was different,” Benitez said Friday.

“The first year at Valencia was not good enough but after three years we had the best statistics in the club’s history, and I would like to do the same here.”