Saturday, January 12, 2008

Benitez Insists He Is The Man To Lead Liverpool

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez pointedly talked about his and the club's long-term future at the end of a week which has seen his longevity at Anfield called into question.

All the speculation that Jurgen Klinsmann was being lined up to replace Benitez was swept away today by the news the former Germany coach will take over at Bayern Munich in the summer.

And the Reds boss chief was in relaxed mood as he spoke about his new signing - £6.5million defender Martin Skrtel - and the departure of Sam Allardyce from Newcastle.

The Spaniard consistently underlined his good working relationship with American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett by emphasising his and the club's long-term planning.

"The owners have allowed me to spend and people should realise that," said Benitez.

"Maybe because everyone seemed to be focusing on me they did not see that we have all been working together, the owners and me, to improve the squad for the future.

"It is important to realise that we were all trying to do the right things for our club and in this case it was to sign a young player for the future.

"There have been headlines (about Klinsmann) but my aim is to focus on my team and work with my squad to win games. I have been busy but now I think some people have been pointing in the wrong direction."

The 23-year-old Skrtel, signed from Zenit St Petersburg, is unlikely to be involved in tomorrow's match at Middlesbrough but could be given a debut on Tuesday at Anfield for the FA Cup third round replay against Luton.

Fellow centre-back Daniel Agger may have finally returned to the squad after four months out with a broken metatarsal but Benitez explained there was still a desperate need for defensive re-enforcement.

"We needed a new centre-back - a necessity - with the injuries we have had. The aim, though, was to bring in a young player to build for the future," said the manager.

"He is just 23 and we have a lot of young players here now who will be very good for our future as well as important to boost the squad.

"He has a good mentality and he is very strong but I will not put him under pressure, everyone needs time to settle.

"Agger needed six months and he is now a fantastic player, Martin will be used carefully and not rushed."

But after a week which began with claims - since forcibly denied by the Spaniard - Benitez privately expected to be sacked in the summer he was determined to emphasise the healthy relationship he maintains with the owners.

"After the meeting (in December) I had with the owners everything was much better," said the former Valencia coach, who had a public disagreement with the Americans in November over transfer plans.

"We have been talking almost every day and we have continued with the plan and that is to bring in young players who will be good for the future.

"The squad has young players who will improve each year and gain experience. It shows we have a good relationship with the owners.

"And after the meeting this week (in New York) between the owners and (chief executive) Rick Parry we have signed a new player almost straight away - that is very, very positive."

Benitez ruled out any further significant spending unless he gets a large fee for midfielder Mohamed Sissoko, who believes he is on the brink of a £10million move to Juventus.

"We have had some clubs asking about Sissoko and we will find the right solution," said the Spaniard.

"If we get the right club and right offer we will be able to progress.

"In a top side there is always tough competition. We have Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and then we bought in Lucas Leiva so Momo was under pressure.

"We are happy now with the squad. We have good competition in all the other positions and I feel we only needed a deal for a centre-back."

Benitez even found time to offer sympathy to Allardyce, an opposite number with whom he has had a number of run-ins when he was Bolton boss.

"I do not expect things to be done like that in England," said Benitez.

"People who take decisions must understand that if you want to improve something then it takes time.

"It is happening like this more often and people start saying it is normal with the pressure and the money involved but I believe it a big mistake.

"How long did it take Alex Ferguson to win the title, seven years. If the board had changed their manager then Manchester United would not be where they are now.

"That is a good example to explain why it is wrong to act so quickly."

No comments: