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Benitez blasts critics
20:45, Dec 11 2009
Rafael Benitez has delivered a withering riposte to his critics and dismissed Jurgen Klinsmann's managerial record.
The former Germany international attacked Benitez's record as Liverpool manager and the quality of the current squad. Klinsmann took Germany to the semi-finals of their home World Cup in 2006, but his stint in charge of Bayern Munich lasted less than a season before he was sacked.
Speaking about Klinsmann's attack, Benitez said: "I think he was an expert in marketing. His management career? Short."
Klinsmann was at the centre of a storm two years ago when he was involved in talks with Liverpool's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett over the Anfield hot seat.
Former Liverpool manager Graeme Souness also warned of a potential "meltdown" at the club this week but Benitez said: "There is always criticism but I don't listen. I turn off the volume on the TV."
He added sarcastically: "Both have fantastic records as managers, so the fans ignore what they say.
"We have to win, we have a responsibility and we must concentrate on our job.
"If someone talks too much, it is their problem, but the fans know the record they both have as managers, fantastic."
However, Liverpool's star striker Fernando Torres has conceeded that the club must reset their targets for the season following their exit from the Champions League and loss of form in the Barclays Premier League.
Torres said: "We are out of the Champions League, we are really far away from the top of the Premier League, so we have to change our targets. We have to look to the Europa League, the FA Cup as the only competitions we can win this season. And making sure that we stay in the top four."
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