Benitez ready for Europa League test

(GSM) – Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez thinks the Europa League is a strong competition and he believes it can’t be viewed as a poor relation of the Champions League.

Benitez saw his side lose their place at European football’s top table during a dismal group stage campaign.

The Spanish manager has pledged to do everything to claim victory in a strong competition which also features other highly reputed clubs like Juventus, Valencia, Roma and Atletico Madrid.

“To be fair, if you analyse the teams that are in the competition there are some very strong teams,” Benitez said.

“It will be a difficult competition, the only one we can win now, so we will try to do our best from the beginning.

“We have to progress, we have to win the first round and go forward because we might have Juventus, Valencia or Atletico Madrid.

“Any club in the Europa League which reaches the semi-final will be good enough to be in the Champions League too.

“To win a European competition against top sides is important and if you cannot be in the Champions League you have to do your best here and try to bring something for the fans.

“The response of the players to being knocked out of the Champions League was fantastic and we have to keep doing the same.”