Benitez: Mistakes cost us
Benitez watched his side concede another late goal in their 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina
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By Adam Leveridge. |  |
Wednesday, 09, Dec 2009 11:04
By Matt Hallam.
Rafael Benitez highlighted his team's mistakes earlier in the competition as Liverpool bowed out of the Champions League with a 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina at Anfield.
Liverpool lead at half-time thanks to Yossi Benayoun's headed goal, but the Italians equalised in the second half through Martin Jorgensen before Alberto Gilardino scored a last-gasp winner.
Benitez was unhappy that his team had conceded another goal in the last minute of the game, after conceding late goals earlier in the coimpetition against Lyon.
"We're really disappointed because we have conceded three goals in the Champions League in the last minute," he said.
"The first half against Fiorentina was key, and three late goals made the difference - especially against Lyon. Without these two goals, I think we'd be in a different position today."
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard defended his team's performance but admitted they had not been good enough throughout the competition and must now concentrate on the Europa League.
"I think we gave a good account of ourselves [against Fiorentina] and were unlucky to lose at the end," he said.
"If you look at the whole campaign though it wasn't good enough from our point of view and we need to try and qualify for the same competition next year.
"If you make mistakes you concede goals. We had a go though, it wasn't our strongest team but we did well.
"At this club you try and stay in the biggest competitions as long as possible. It's gone now though and we need to get over it and give our best shot at winning the Europa League."
One of the only positives of the game for Liverpool was the inclusion of summer signing Alberto Aquilani in the starting line.
The Italian midfielder completed 76 minutes before being substituted and Gerrard is sure he will become a key member of Liverpool's team.
"It's going to take him a while to get up to speed as far as match fitness is concerned but the boy is a player. I've got no doubts he will be a fantastic player for this club," he added.