Benitez tries to stay positive

BUDAPEST: Embattled Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said he and his squad should remain positive despite bowing out of the Champions League at the group stage for the first time in six years on Tuesday.

Liverpool did manage to eke out their second win in 11 matches, a 1-0 win over pointless Hungarian side Debrecen but Fiorentina's 1-0 victory over already qualified Lyon in Florence brought the curtain down on any thoughts of progressing to the knockout stages.

Benitez, whose spending of multi-millions is in stark contrast to Debrecen's limited transfer budget of just more than 1.5 million pounds ($ 2.5 million) a year, is already turning his attention to the Liverpool derby this weekend against Everton as they try and claw back a massive 13 point deficit to Premier League leaders Chelsea.