Benitez wish a consistent Garcia
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Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admits Luis Garcia's inconsistency is working against him.
Ahead of tonight's match against Galatasaray, Benitez said: "Luis is a very clever player and can do so many different things. Sometimes he does give the ball away a little too easily - but a lot of his moves do come off, especially at home.
"Remember, he has scored a lot of very important goals for us in Europe and always gets 10 to 15 in total a season.
"The other day against Tottenham it was really tough and myself, Alex Miller and Paco Ayesteran were talking about changing something.
"All three of us said Luis was the option - and he was.
"I know him from Tenerife and one year there he got 16 goals from the left wing. He's also played on the right or as a second striker at the academy in Barcelona.
"It's difficult to know the best position for him because he can play three or four very well.
"He is very important for us at Anfield, when we tend to play at a higher tempo. He has a very important role to play here.
"Sometimes I've had to tell him to do the simple things more. But closer to their box I like to see him trying these things.
"It is more frustrating when a player can do nothing, rather than one who works hard and can produce something."
Garcia, 28, arrived from Barcelona for ?6million two years ago and has been a bigger victim than most of Benitez's much-hyped rotation policy.
Yet if ever he needs reassurance about his part in the manager's plans, he recalls the role former Kop favourite Vladimir Smicer played in their Champions League-winning season.
Smicer hardly played that campaign yet still managed to hit one of the three goals which led to that famous victory over AC Milan in Istanbul.
Garcia admitted: "Of course, when you are not playing you do start to worry and wonder if the manager is thinking of other players.
"But you must remember the season is very, very long.
"Look at Smicer - he was not playing much but then he scored in the final, which made him really important. Things can change in one week."
Galatasaray may not have the reputation of a few years ago but Benitez still expects a battle royal at Anfield.
And he is looking more at five goals in Liverpool's last two Premiership games than their European blanks.
He added: "I try to be positive and we are scoring in England. Now I hope to see the same in the Champions League as well.
"We do have more options up front now but we need to put them under pressure because, if you give them time, they are good on the counter- attack."
Ahead of tonight's match against Galatasaray, Benitez said: "Luis is a very clever player and can do so many different things. Sometimes he does give the ball away a little too easily - but a lot of his moves do come off, especially at home.
"Remember, he has scored a lot of very important goals for us in Europe and always gets 10 to 15 in total a season.
"The other day against Tottenham it was really tough and myself, Alex Miller and Paco Ayesteran were talking about changing something.
"All three of us said Luis was the option - and he was.
"I know him from Tenerife and one year there he got 16 goals from the left wing. He's also played on the right or as a second striker at the academy in Barcelona.
"It's difficult to know the best position for him because he can play three or four very well.
"He is very important for us at Anfield, when we tend to play at a higher tempo. He has a very important role to play here.
"Sometimes I've had to tell him to do the simple things more. But closer to their box I like to see him trying these things.
"It is more frustrating when a player can do nothing, rather than one who works hard and can produce something."
Garcia, 28, arrived from Barcelona for ?6million two years ago and has been a bigger victim than most of Benitez's much-hyped rotation policy.
Yet if ever he needs reassurance about his part in the manager's plans, he recalls the role former Kop favourite Vladimir Smicer played in their Champions League-winning season.
Smicer hardly played that campaign yet still managed to hit one of the three goals which led to that famous victory over AC Milan in Istanbul.
Garcia admitted: "Of course, when you are not playing you do start to worry and wonder if the manager is thinking of other players.
"But you must remember the season is very, very long.
"Look at Smicer - he was not playing much but then he scored in the final, which made him really important. Things can change in one week."
Galatasaray may not have the reputation of a few years ago but Benitez still expects a battle royal at Anfield.
And he is looking more at five goals in Liverpool's last two Premiership games than their European blanks.
He added: "I try to be positive and we are scoring in England. Now I hope to see the same in the Champions League as well.
"We do have more options up front now but we need to put them under pressure because, if you give them time, they are good on the counter- attack."
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