Rafa and Dirk preview Atletico clash

Journalist: Well Rafa, you're tantalisingly close to qualification which would be a great boost at this stage of the competition...

The first thing to do is to make sure we win and then after we can see whether we are through. It would be really good for us because then maybe we can think about the next two games and approach them in a different way.

Journalist: There's also the other side of the coin...If PSV win their match and you don't win yours, then they could come back into the mix...

Yes, there are different permutations. If we want to guarantee qualification then we need to get 11 points - that's if PSV win. But 10 points could be enough if Marseille win. We don't know the numbers now so it's better to concentrate on our job, win our game, and then see what has happened in the other game.

Journalist: If you qualify tonight it will allow you to concentrate on the league for the time being, wouldn't it?

Yes, clearly it would be fantastic because we would be able to manage the team in a different way in the Carling Cup and the Premier League. We can use the squad and give some minutes to players who will be really good for us and we will try to do that.

Journalist: Have people made too much of your defeat against Tottenham?

I am not worried. I remember watching the game and we were so good. We just needed to take our chances. When you are playing really well you cannot complain. I said after the game that I couldn't understand how we could lose. We were so good. We don't need to worry about this. We just need to show character again and show our quality out on the pitch.

Journalist: Fernando Torres could be involved tonight. Do you feel you missed him at the weekend?

I am really pleased with the strikers. I am happy with how they are playing and I am happy with the team. I was trying to use Ryan Babel in the second-half because of his pace. If we had Torres on the pitch then maybe it would have been different. Clearly he is a fantastic player who can change the game. But I think we were doing so well that we didn't really need Torres.

Journalist: He'll obviously be desperate to face Atletico. Do you feel you have to protect him from wanting to return a fraction too early because of the opposition?

We were watching him in training yesterday and he did really well. We have to decide later today. I will talk with him and at the end of the day it will be his decision. If he is fit, then okay he can be there. If not, then we will wait. We don't want to take any risks.

Journalist: You've shown character in coming from behind to win this season. This will be the first time you have had to respond to a defeat. Is this a new test for you?

Yes it could be. It's also a different competition too. We have been playing well and we just need to keep doing the same things. We don't have to prove anything.

Journalist: As a Spanish manager, do you look forward to this type of game more than any other?

Not really. I get more people asking about tickets though! (laughs). In terms of the team and the players we try to prepare them in the same way as against any other team.

Journalist: Looking at some of the statistics ahead of this match, Liverpool don't have a great record against Spanish teams. Is there any particular reason for that?

I don't know. I think we won against Betis, Deportivo and Barcelona. So for me Liverpool doesn't have a bad record against Spanish teams. But this is about Atletico Madrid versus Liverpool and I think if we do the right things we can beat them.

Journalist: Have you been keeping a close eye on Atletico since your 1-1 draw in Madrid?

They scored four goals against Villarreal but they also conceded four. They won the other day against Mallorca. They are doing well. They had some problems but they will be more or less the same tonight, although they will have Maxi Rodriguez fit again and he is a very good player.

Journalist: How much character do you think your team has shown since the injury to Fernando Torres. It was seen by many as a major setback but you have coped really well...

If you look at Dirk Kuyt, he is an example of the type of character and player you need if you want to win trophies. With the likes of Gerrard, Keane and Kuyt - we also used Ngog against Aston Villa and he was good - we have enough quality in the squad for doing well without Torres.

Journalist: There's a lot of talk about bringing Torres back in to the side for Atletico - but is anyone guaranteed a place in your side now?

No, not now. Even with everyone playing so well, you change players and we keep winning, so if Torres is fit it is something we will have to make a decision on. Normally he would not start after an injury and if he is okay he could be on the bench. It depends on the game. We will have to decide.

Journalist: Luis Garcia returns to Anfield for the first time since leaving. How dangerous could he be?

Sinama (Pongolle) and Luis were both really good players for us. They both scored great goals and the fans know that they were very important for us. Hopefully they will be calm and will enjoy the atmosphere along with the rest of us.

Journalist: Do you think Garcia will look back on his time at Liverpool as the best period in his career?

Yes I think so. He showed quality and experience and could change games, like against Chelsea and Juventus. He played well for us because he is a player with a lot of quality.

Journalist: Dirk, what's the mood in the squad following your first defeat of the season on Saturday?

We know we have a big game every three or four days and we have another big game against Atletico tonight. If we win we can move clear in the group and we will give ourselves a good chance of staying there. So, we are looking forward. Saturday was disappointing but we all want to show it was just a blip.

Journalist: The Spurs defeat was similar to the game in Madrid a fortnight ago where you played well and conceded late on. Do you think Liverpool are having trouble finishing teams off?

No, sometimes it is like this in football. We have come from behind many times this season. We conceded two late goals on Saturday and against Atletico but apart from that we have had a really good season. As a team we don't look back too much. We like to look forward and we are now preparing for Atletico and we will aim to beat them.

Journalist: So it's just a case of reacting in the right manner?

Yes, we know we have enough quality in the team. We are playing really well. The only problem on Saturday was that we missed lots of chances. We want to keep creating chances but we need to make sure we take them and kill the game.

Journalist: A victory against Atletico would see you all-but through to the knockout stages. That would at least settle one issue for the time being and allow you to focus on the Barclays Premier League, wouldn't it?

Yes, I think if we win today it will be a big step towards the next round. We will have to wait and see whether it means we are definitely qualified. It would be great if we could go into one or two games at the end of the group already qualified.

Journalist: Do you think you need to win to send out a message to other teams after the defeat at Spurs?

Maybe, but we want to win every game so it doesn't change anything for us. You can lose games sometimes because we play in the toughest game in Europe. We will just have to go on and continue to play how we have so far this season and we will win a lot of games in a row again.

Journalist: Is there more of a buzz amongst the Spanish players for these types of games against teams from their country of origin?

It's always special. I know that it is for me when we play against a team from my homeland like PSV. I think the Spanish lads are looking forward to the game with Madrid and Fernando has a special link with them. They are looking forward to the game but so are all the players. It is a big game against a top side and it will be another good atmosphere at Anfield because it is a Champions League night.

Journalist: Liverpool have played with a lot of belief this season. That confidence hasn't been dented by Saturday's defeat, has it?

Everybody tried to say that to us but we aren't thinking about that game now. We must look forward. It's a long season and we are still up there in the league and at the top in the Champions League. We are doing really well and we will show that again tonight.

Journalist: Do you think the chance to play in front of the Anfield crowd following a poor result will help you?

Whether it's the Premier League or the Champions League we know the supporters will be behind us and that does give us extra motivation.

Journalist: What impressed you about Atletico Madrid in the first game?

They have a good team. I know Heitinga from Holland, so I knew a bit about their team before we drew them in the Champions League. They have some quality players and of course they have Luis Garcia too. Then there's the likes of Aguero and Forlan so we know they have a lot of good players and we will have to be careful. We have a lot of respect for them but we also know we have good players too.

Journalist: Did you or any of the lads have a chat with Luis Garcia when you went to Madrid?

He scored a lot of goals for Liverpool in Europe so he is a threat. We all spoke to him a bit but there isn't so much time because we have so many games to play. But we did have a bit of a laugh with each other.

Journalist: What impact would the potential return of Fernando Torres have on the team?

I think Fernando is one of our best players. He has already shown his ability and has scored lots of goals for us. It will be really important when he returns but the most important thing is that he returns when he is fit and ready.

Journalist: Do you think too much has been made of the defeat at the weekend?

Everyone can lose a game. Obviously you want to remain unbeaten for as long as possible and what we now need to do is start again and go on another long run. We know we can do that. We have the quality and know that people will want to put pressure on us. But there is no pressure. It's going well, we are up at the top of the table and we just need to keep it going.

Journalist: You've developed a knack for scoring more goals in Europe than in the Barclays Premier League - is that coincidence or do you prefer that style of play?

I don't know if it is coincidence. I always try to be important for my team and it's not just about scoring goals. In my first season here I scored 14 goals in the league and only one in the final of the Champions League in Europe. Then the season after, I only scored three in the league and quite a few in Europe. It's changing a bit but I'll try to do both this season.

Journalist: Is this the ideal game for Liverpool to have on the back of a defeat?

What's ideal? We play a big game every three days, whether it's Marseille and Atletico or Chelsea and Spurs - it's every three days or so. Whoever it is we are ready for them.

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