Birmingham manager Alex McLeish fears Liverpool 'backlash' as fans rally behind under-fire Rafa Benitez
Published 23:00 08/11/09 By By James Nursey
Alex McLeish has warned Birmingham’s players to expect a red-hot atmosphere tonight as Liverpool fans rally behind under-pressure boss Rafa Benitez.
The Blues visit Anfield in the Premier League with Benitez feeling the heat after just one win in eight games. But City are hoping to add to their woes after picking up four points from their last two matches.
However, boss McLeish believes most Liverpool supporters are still firmly behind Benitez. He said: “Liverpool fans, I think, are still very supportive of Rafa Benitez so there could be a backlash.
“There are some great arenas throughout the world and Anfield is one of them. We are living in a knee-jerk and blame culture and have done for a few years.
“But I think it is tremendous the Liverpool fans have stayed loyal to Rafa.”
Liverpool’s star striker Fernando Torres is a major doubt for the hosts who also have Steven Gerrard crocked.
But McLeish has influential midfielder Barry Ferguson suspended after his two bookings in the 0-0 draw with Man City.
“Rafa might have problems but I have problems too,” added McLeish.
“It is not as if we are on an even playing field with them going to Anfield. They will still be big favourites to beat Birmingham City.
“Our mission is to play as well as we did at Old Trafford, Tottenham and the Emirates this season - but this time comeback with something to show for our efforts.”
McLeish feels for Benitez after enduring a tough final season in his time in charge of Rangers between December 2001 and May 2006.
He added: “I have been in those situations and can empathise.
“My last year at Rangers was a tough one. In the first half of the season we had massive problems and it was similar to Liverpool’s.
“You feel you haven’t got a friend in the world but the fact you have is very important.
“You have to surround yourself with as much positivity as possible because if you get embroiled in all the negativity it wears you down.
“Ignoring all the negativity and s**t definitely helps.
“I have read Harry Redknapp before talking about sleepless nights and us managers are not robots.
“You just get better about hiding it with experience.”
Birmingham (probable team): Hart, Carr, Dann, Roger Johnson, Ridgewell, Larsson, Bowyer, Fahey, McFadden, Jerome, Benitez.
