Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez warned Manchester City ahead of Sunday's Premier League meeting that its newfound wealth will be exploited by clubs only willing to sell their players at excessive prices.
Man City's new Abu Dhabi owners are planning to splurge on players in January to turn the long underachieving club into a global force. They began their mission last month with the surprise capture of Brazil forward Robinho.
By contrast, Benitez operates within the constraints of budget set by owners who have piled debt on to Liverpool.
While Benitez has clashed with his American co-owners over their lack of support in the transfer market, he said being a shrewd operator can deliver the goods.
"When you don't have money you know you have to analyze everything in the market and say this player is cheap and good,'' Benitez said.”People think when you have money it is easier to buy better players, but the market is smaller.
"You don't have too many top-class players, and it's more difficult because everyone knows that you have money so will ask for more.''
Benitez doesn't see Robinho alone transforming City after signing from Real Madrid for a British record 32.5 million pounds (US$58.5 million; £40 million).
"Players need time. It is not easy to sign top-class players from all around the world and expect them to start playing very well from the first game,'' the Spaniard said. "It is more difficult than that.''
That has been evident on the pitch after less than two weeks of UAE ownership.
Mark Hughes' side has been eliminated from the League Cup by lowly opposition, lost at Wigan in the Premier League, and qualified for the UEFA Cup group stage with an unconvincing win over Omonia Nicosia.
"I do not know when they can become genuine title contenders,'' Benitez said.”They are a good team with good players and a good manager - so why not? They can be top of the table, but there are other teams that have spent big money like Aston Villa.
"Other teams are trying to do the same. But you must realize how hard the Premier League is to win.''
Liverpool has been trying to win a 19th English league title since 1990 without success, although the Reds are only currently being kept off the top by Chelsea on goal difference after their best start to a domestic campaign in 12 years.
Key to that have been Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, who notched up his 100th Liverpool goal in Wednesday's Champions League victory over PSV Eindhoven.
Man City want them both, but Benitez can't see Gerrard ever leaving.
"Gerrard is playing well and if we are improving he will be very, very happy here,'' Benitez said.”The key is that he wants to stay here, that is the most important thing. It is not a question of money.
"He has a commitment with the club and the fans, and as a local lad he would prefer to stay here.''
Man City's new Abu Dhabi owners are planning to splurge on players in January to turn the long underachieving club into a global force. They began their mission last month with the surprise capture of Brazil forward Robinho.
By contrast, Benitez operates within the constraints of budget set by owners who have piled debt on to Liverpool.
While Benitez has clashed with his American co-owners over their lack of support in the transfer market, he said being a shrewd operator can deliver the goods.
"When you don't have money you know you have to analyze everything in the market and say this player is cheap and good,'' Benitez said.”People think when you have money it is easier to buy better players, but the market is smaller.
"You don't have too many top-class players, and it's more difficult because everyone knows that you have money so will ask for more.''
Benitez doesn't see Robinho alone transforming City after signing from Real Madrid for a British record 32.5 million pounds (US$58.5 million; £40 million).
"Players need time. It is not easy to sign top-class players from all around the world and expect them to start playing very well from the first game,'' the Spaniard said. "It is more difficult than that.''
That has been evident on the pitch after less than two weeks of UAE ownership.
Mark Hughes' side has been eliminated from the League Cup by lowly opposition, lost at Wigan in the Premier League, and qualified for the UEFA Cup group stage with an unconvincing win over Omonia Nicosia.
"I do not know when they can become genuine title contenders,'' Benitez said.”They are a good team with good players and a good manager - so why not? They can be top of the table, but there are other teams that have spent big money like Aston Villa.
"Other teams are trying to do the same. But you must realize how hard the Premier League is to win.''
Liverpool has been trying to win a 19th English league title since 1990 without success, although the Reds are only currently being kept off the top by Chelsea on goal difference after their best start to a domestic campaign in 12 years.
Key to that have been Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, who notched up his 100th Liverpool goal in Wednesday's Champions League victory over PSV Eindhoven.
Man City want them both, but Benitez can't see Gerrard ever leaving.
"Gerrard is playing well and if we are improving he will be very, very happy here,'' Benitez said.”The key is that he wants to stay here, that is the most important thing. It is not a question of money.
"He has a commitment with the club and the fans, and as a local lad he would prefer to stay here.''
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