Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was satisfied with the point his side secured away to Aston Villa, but believes his men need to improve their final ball if they are to challenge for a top-two finish.
In a drab affair at Villa Park, both teams lacked potency in the final third as Robbie Keane, Martin Laursen and John Carew spurned the only real clear-cut chanced of the game.
And Benitez, who is close to securing the £8 million signing of Albert Riera from Espanyol which could solve The Reds’ lack of width, believes his side will struggle to match Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United this season unless they can improve their attacking proficiency.
"We were controlling and creating the opportunity for the final pass," Benitez told Sky Sports 1. "We have to improve the final pass and that could be the difference."
The former Valencia manager confirmed Riera’s arrival at Anfield, believing the player will prove to be a shrewd addition to the side.
"I think so," Benitez said when asked whether the Spain international would be arriving. "He will be a good addition. It is nearly done."
Benitez also admitted that the club will have to await scans on Fernando Torres’ hamstring injury after the hit-man limped off midway through the first half.
"We don't know how long Torres will be out for yet," Benitez told Liverpool's official website. "We'll have to wait for the results of the scan on Monday.
"It could be he is out for seven to 10 days, but until he has the scan we won't know."
In a drab affair at Villa Park, both teams lacked potency in the final third as Robbie Keane, Martin Laursen and John Carew spurned the only real clear-cut chanced of the game.
And Benitez, who is close to securing the £8 million signing of Albert Riera from Espanyol which could solve The Reds’ lack of width, believes his side will struggle to match Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United this season unless they can improve their attacking proficiency.
"We were controlling and creating the opportunity for the final pass," Benitez told Sky Sports 1. "We have to improve the final pass and that could be the difference."
The former Valencia manager confirmed Riera’s arrival at Anfield, believing the player will prove to be a shrewd addition to the side.
"I think so," Benitez said when asked whether the Spain international would be arriving. "He will be a good addition. It is nearly done."
Benitez also admitted that the club will have to await scans on Fernando Torres’ hamstring injury after the hit-man limped off midway through the first half.
"We don't know how long Torres will be out for yet," Benitez told Liverpool's official website. "We'll have to wait for the results of the scan on Monday.
"It could be he is out for seven to 10 days, but until he has the scan we won't know."
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