Monday, May 19, 2008

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard Requests Full Backing For Rafael Benitez In Transfer Market

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard asked the owners of the club to give full support to boss Rafael Benitez in the transfer market this summer, so that quality players can be brought in, to aid the Reds in challenging for the title next season.

The English international claimed that he was disappointed for not having made it to the top spot this season.

However Gerrard insisted that with the bringing in of the right players to the squad during the summer would help them in lifting silverware next season.

"It hurts more and more when we get to November or December every season and have to accept we're out of the title race again," he said.

"Every year seems to be following the same routine. The manager asks for more support in the transfer market in January, while we're all saying to ourselves this should have happened the previous summer.

"The time to act is now, not in January when we're already too far behind. Look at Chelsea. A day after they've lost the league, what do they do? They spend £16 million on a full-back.

"That's the kind of ruthless approach to transfers the Liverpool fans and players want to see, making the signings the manager wants.

"The manager knows where we need to strengthen and the players and fans have faith in Rafa — but he needs the backing to act on his plans.

"There's no point us waiting all summer again and then possibly missing out on the players we need.

"If we do that we'll just end up going through the same experience as previous years.

"The only way to achieve this is to give the manager the kind of backing which gives us a chance. You only get better when you improve the quality in the squad.

"Everyone can see we've got a lot of very good players here. I honestly don't believe we're that far off if we can make two or three top-class additions.

"The spine of the side is definitely there. But we know United and Chelsea are going to go out and spend millions again this summer.

"You can see what Fernando Torres added to our team this season. He made a big difference.

"No one is saying we should be spending that kind of money on every player we sign, but if we're going to mount a serious challenge for the title we have to bring in proven quality.

"I'm not just talking or thinking as a player here, but as a fan. This isn't just about what I feel, but about what the fans, the players and everyone who loves the club wants.

"Our supporters deserve more of a challenge than we've put up — but they also need to feel we've a realistic chance of competing.

"Like all of us, they'll be watching what's happening at the club over the summer very carefully.

"They'll be reading the papers every day to find out what's going on, and desperate to feel positive about the future.

"I've always seen summer as a really important period because that's when all the planning gets done.

"League titles aren't just won on the pitch from one week to the next, they're won by managers planning ahead and assembling squads which can cope with the demands of English and European football.

"We have to be doing everything in our power over the next few weeks to prevent another disappointing season."

He added: "I've won every major honour at Liverpool except one. It hurts more and more not only to have never won the league, but to have never really gone close.

"It would be bad enough if we only narrowly missed out on the title, but we've never got to March or April recently and thought we were in contention.

"That's what we want more than anything at Anfield, but we'll only achieve that when everyone is working together for the same goal.

"I watched United last week and as a Liverpool fan it killed me to see them win the league again.

"They deserved to win it and I have the utmost respect for their achievement, but we've got to do everything we can to get it off them next season."

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