Rafa on Wolves, form and Xmas

Rafa Benitez took 10 minutes out of his preparations for the Boxing Day clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers to chat with radio journalists. Here's what the boss had to say in full.

On the reasons for Liverpool's form...

We can go back to pre-season and analyse a lot of things, but at this moment we don't need to talk about the problems we had or have. We need to find solutions and we are trying to do that by working very hard in every training session. We have feedback from the players and we've had meetings with the staff. We know we have to improve our performances on the pitch - we cannot deny that - but I have been a manager for 23 years and in my experience you have both good and bad moments.

On team unity...

We had a Christmas dinner with the players and staff on Tuesday, which was really positive. In terms of the team spirit, we are in a good moment. The main thing is to try and show this unity on the pitch. The players know we have to improve and the only way to do this is by training well and sticking together.

On confidence...

The players have more or less been saying the same things I am telling you - that we are training well and working hard, but we need more confidence and have to start winning games. The expectations were too high, but as soon as you lose one or two games you have to change your targets and we have to manage the anxiety of the players and fans. We know we are in a position we have to change - and we know we have to do it sooner rather than later.

On targets...

At the beginning of the season everybody was talking about a lot of trophies, but now we have to just think about the next game. That is the only way if you want to manage the anxiety of the players. The next challenge is to win the game against Wolves and then against Aston Villa. It is one step at a time. We know what the situation is and we are thinking about how to improve in every single training session and game. We can't talk too much about how we performed last season, because at the moment we have to perform on the pitch and start winning.

On desire...

When you talk to the players, you can see they want to perform and do really well. But the problem is when we are playing well but concede a goal, we lose our confidence. It's something we have to keep talking about with the players and continue working hard in training sessions, but you can't change anything if you don't win your next game.

On Wolves...

Maybe they will have more confidence after winning away to Tottenham, which was an important result for them. But we will play at Anfield and the fans know they have to support the players. We will try to play well and I am sure we can beat anyone if we do.

On the possibility of Wolves resting players...

We want to win, so it doesn't matter who they play. I am sure we will play against 11 players!

On reports claiming Spain want Torres to have an operation...

I was really surprised. We have a very good relationship with Spain's technical staff and we haven't heard anything from them. Torres is training with us every day and we have a lot of people taking care of him.

On Mark Hughes' sacking from Manchester City...

You never like to see any manager fired, so I have sympathy for him. I have a lot of respect for other managers because I know how difficult the job is.

On allowing himself to enjoy Christmas...

I will try. We have to be disappointed because of the position at the moment, but sometimes it is good to clear out your mind and be ready for the next challenge.