Saturday, August 02, 2008

Benitez: We'll Score And Score Freely

Rafa Benitez is unconcerned by his striking pool's far-from-stellar hit-rate during pre-season, insisting that a multitude of goals will come from all around his side.

Only fringe-man Andriy Voronin, of all people, has found the net amongst Liverpool's strikers in five pre-season outings.

In fact, the Reds haven't found the net at all in 180 minutes, drawing a blank against Hertha Berlin and Villarreal.

Perhaps buoyed by the recent capture of striker Robbie Keane, though, Rafa Benitez is refusing to panic.

Preparing his troops for the Ibrox test against Rangers, he insists that goals will come from both midfield and the front-line given time.

He told the club's official website: "In the last two games we have created several chances but either the opposition keeper has played really well to stop us from scoring or we have just missed the target.

"There is no problem. I am sure the goals will come and the important thing is that the players are creating chances.

"When they have more sharpness they will score more goals. At this stage it is all about preparing for the start of the season and I know that when the season begins my players will be ready."

Benitez has mumbled his first concerns since letting beanpole forward Peter Crouch leave for Portsmouth, but insists that there are goal threats throughout his side.

He continued: "I know we have the players to score goals. Last season, Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun and Peter Crouch all got double figures for us.

"Crouch has left but we have brought in Robbie Keane, who also got double figures for Tottenham, so I am not concerned."

Keane pulled on the Red shirt, or the grey change jersey more specifically, for the first time in the goalless El Madrigal draw with Villarreal.

Keane, though, will be wary of the trip to Glasgow. The striker was badly injured there during a summer friendly in 2004 as Spurs lost 2-0 to the Gers.

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