SoccerNews.com

(GSM) – For years successive, Liverpool managed to claim a spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League but this year they failed to reach the next round. Steven Gerrard was disappointed about the elimination but already has a new challenge: “Now, we must try to win the Europa League.”

Just like his manager Rafael Benitez, Gerrard thought the performance against Debrecen provided hope for a better future for the Reds. “Of course it’s disappointing, we played fantastically well tonight and despite getting three points we don’t progress,” he told Sky Sports 2. “The main prize has gone and to be playing in the Europa League is disappointing but we have to accept that, move on and try to win that competition.”

Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow insisted once again that Benitez’ job is safe. “You can never predict last-minute goals, which have cost us dear in the Champions League. That’s no basis to make managerial decisions.

“We don’t run our business in that respect. I’m on the record as saying Rafa’s signed a new five-year contract, he’s four months into that contract so to discuss that is not appropriate.”

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