 AS statements of intent go, it was hardly in the Jose Mourinho league. "The last year Liverpool were a very good team, but now they are a very good team with some differences." The Rafael Benitez era has, finally, begun. But it began with little of the uncompromising bluster and confidence that had characterized the new Chelsea manager's introductory press conference after his own move from the Continent. Instead there was a good deal of diplomacy, humour and quirkiness, but also the kind of softly-spoken intent that seeped through a still shaky grasp of the language. Unflashily attired in grey suit, pinstriped shirt and red tie, Benitez frequently apologised for his English during what must have been a gruelling examination of his new country's vocabulary. In the end, he said all the right things and gave precious little away, clearly feeling his more detailed pronouncements should be kept for a day when he is more accustomed to players, staff, and indeed the English game. The precise "differences" Rafael Benitez will bring to Liverpool should become more clear over the coming weeks, but ironically his most pressing task is to keep two things exactly the same. Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen, two players left watching their new club manager's first words on television yesterday but who in due course will be meeting the man who holds the key to the future at Liverpool. As if it wasn't already obvious, Rick Parry has now confirmed just how critical it is that Benitez returns Liverpool to the status of a side capable of challenging for honours at home and abroad. Failure to do that and it seems Gerrard for one will sacrifice his love for Liverpool in search of medals, be it Stamford Bridge or elsewhere. Yesterday, the Spaniard was displaying a Sven-like capacity for distilling complicated issues into logical solutions. If the seriousness of resolving that problem is not already clear to Benitez, it soon will be. "In the case of Steven Gerrard, it is very easy because he is from Liverpool, his heart and his spirit is with Liverpool," he said. "He needs to know that the new manager is with him and has confidence in him. I need to meet with him to tell him what my ideas are, and to tell him how important he is for us. "I could try to convince him (that he can win things here) by talking, but I would prefer to try and convince him by working. | 
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