With a hectic schedule of fixtures around the corner, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has urged the younger players in his squad to hit top form sooner rather than later.
Benitez is well-aware of the packed period of football than comes at Christmas in the English calendar, and understands the demand for rotation in places on squads.
Therefore Benitez wants his fringe players to step their game up as they are more likely to be making appearances in the first team over the coming weeks.
Although the Spaniard is happy with the way the likes of Ryan Babel, Lucas Leiva and Sebastian Leto have adapted to the English game, he nonetheless is demanding more from them.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Benitez said: “Our squad is really good and hopefully the strength of the squad will become more clear as the season goes on.
“Some young players, especially the likes of Sebastian Leto, Lucas Leiva and Ryan Babel, will grow and progress during the season and I am sure they will play better.
“I am not disappointed with them but I think they do have the potential to play better.”
The Reds, who are looking to win their first Premiership title for 18 years, are currently six points behind the leaders Arsenal.
He said: “I feel that we are in a much better position than we were at this time last season.
“We have more points but if you think about the games and analyse the matches against Birmingham City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, they were three games that we could have won, so maybe we could be top of the table .
“You cannot be 100% happy because I know that we could have won these games, so there is plenty of room for improvement.”
Benitez is well-aware of the packed period of football than comes at Christmas in the English calendar, and understands the demand for rotation in places on squads.
Therefore Benitez wants his fringe players to step their game up as they are more likely to be making appearances in the first team over the coming weeks.
Although the Spaniard is happy with the way the likes of Ryan Babel, Lucas Leiva and Sebastian Leto have adapted to the English game, he nonetheless is demanding more from them.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Benitez said: “Our squad is really good and hopefully the strength of the squad will become more clear as the season goes on.
“Some young players, especially the likes of Sebastian Leto, Lucas Leiva and Ryan Babel, will grow and progress during the season and I am sure they will play better.
“I am not disappointed with them but I think they do have the potential to play better.”
The Reds, who are looking to win their first Premiership title for 18 years, are currently six points behind the leaders Arsenal.
He said: “I feel that we are in a much better position than we were at this time last season.
“We have more points but if you think about the games and analyse the matches against Birmingham City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, they were three games that we could have won, so maybe we could be top of the table .
“You cannot be 100% happy because I know that we could have won these games, so there is plenty of room for improvement.”
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