Rafa: We'll give Europa League best shot

Rafa Benitez today promised Liverpool will make the best of a difficult situation when they return to European action later this week.

In normal circumstances, the Reds' boss would have been preparing his side for a Champions League clash this week but events before Christmas means they have had to lower their sights.

Benitez, though, is looking forward to Thursday night's assignment against Unirea Urziceni and insists he is preparing for the Anfield clash without any pangs for the competition with which Liverpool have become accustomed in recent years.

This, of course, will be the first time Benitez has managed a side in UEFA's secondary tournament since he guided Valencia to the title in 2004 but he is not turning his nose up at the opportunity.

He, for one, believes Liverpool can put some momentum behind their campaign with a successful push towards the final in Hamburg and will urge his squad to give it their all before they tackle the Romanians.

"It is always difficult but when you have been a manager for a while, with different teams, sometimes you were only playing once a week, trying to avoid relegation," said Benitez.

"When you have experience, you know all about the different feelings.

"Clearly I would prefer to be fighting for the title or for the Champions League but you must accept the situation.

"You have to be positive and turn things in your favour. Now we have another opportunity (of playing in Europe) and we must try to keep playing better.

"We have got to keep progressing in the Europa League and aim to finish as high as we can in the Premier League."

Liverpool are favourites in some areas to lift the trophy on May 12 but Benitez is quick to point out that task facing them is far from easy.

"There are still big clubs involved," said Benitez. "If we can get through a couple of rounds, though, I'm sure the atmosphere will be really good because the fans want to see us winning trophies."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.