Benitez blames fatigue after shock QPR loss

Further slips not affordable, admits Chelsea’s interim manager.

LONDON: Chelsea’s interim manager, Rafael Benitez, blamed his side’s 1-0 defeat to QPR on fatigue and admitted they cannot afford further slips if they are to close the 14-point gap on leaders Manchester United.

Benitez admitted striker Fernando Torres is one of the players who needs a rest and says he hopes to have completed the signing of Newcastle United forward Demba Ba before the FA Cup tie at Southampton tomorrow.

“We can’t carry on with the same players,” said Benitez. “We were playing the bottom of the league at home and you have to trust your players. The main thing is we were a bit tired and couldn’t produce the pass, the intensity and the movement. We have to have everything almost perfect now.

“Definitely the club is working on signing a new striker. If we can do the business, I hope so before weekend.”

Benitez revealed goalkeeper Petr Cech will be out for up to three weeks with an adductor problem, but there is still no return date for skipper John Terry, who has a knee injury.

On the other hand, Harry Redknapp believes QPR’s shock win at Chelsea could be the turning point in his side’s season.

The win was only their second league victory of the season and moved Rangers level on points with second-bottom Reading, five points adrift of safety.

But the manager believes the impact of the result will be hugely significant in the context of the relegation battle and strengthen his chances of bringing in new recruits in the January transfer window.

“I had a good meeting with (the players) after the Liverpool game (QPR lost 3-0),” said Redknapp. “I think I convinced them I thought we could stay up.”

Liverpool coach thrilled with 3-0 win

Meanwhile, Liverpool got the New Year off to the best of possible start on Wednesday by defeating Sunderland 3-0 at Anfield to move up to eighth place in the Premier League.

First-half goals from Raheem Sterling and Luis Suarez put Brendan Rodgers’ men firmly in the driving seat and Suarez added a third in the second half to seal a comfortable win

Coach Brendan Rodgers was left elated by the effort and application of his side.

“You have got to give massive credit to the players,” Rodgers told Liverpoolfc.com. “The effort they put into the game tonight, as well as the quality, was phenomenal.

“It was the fourth game [over the Festive period]. You look throughout the country and there are a lot of tired players and performers having had to play four games in such a short period, but you look at the intensity and conditioning of our players tonight and the work they put into the game, married with the quality, was fantastic.

“Credit to Sunderland. They’re a good side and have had some good results recently. Under Martin [O’Neill] they’re very competitive and tough to beat, but I thought our superiority in the game was good and I’m very, very pleased.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2013.