Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Rafael Benitez: Robbie Keane Experience Will Not Put Pff New Liverpool Signings


Rafael Benitez believes he will have no trouble attracting new players to Liverpool despite Robbie Keane's futile attempts to win a regular first-team place.

Keane, who signed for £20 million from Tottenham Hotspur last summer and was sold back at a loss just six months later, failed to dislodge either Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres from Benitez's first-choice attack.

The Liverpool manager has been linked with a host of international forwards as he attempts to provide his favoured pairing with the necessary support to launch another Premier League title challenge next season.

Valencia winger David Silva, Almeria striker Alvaro Negredo and Tottenham's Aaron Lennon are all thought to be on Benitez's radar.

But the experiences of Keane may prove chastening for any player hoping to establish themselves as a fixture in Benitez's unpredictable line-ups.

The Irish international, the club's second most expensive signing to date, made just 17 domestic starts and found himself out in the cold whenever Torres and Gerrard were both available.

But despite the duo's form over the last two years, and an almost telepathic understanding between them, Benitez insists he will try to augment his squad this summer. He expects that challenging for four trophies will provide enough games to ensure there is no repeat of the Keane situation.

He said: "Everybody knows they are very good players and play well together but normally there are 60 games a year and that is enough for everyone.

"Our squad has shown it is better this year and it will improve if we can add the right players to our strong spine. Next year will be even better if we add top-class players.

"It is important to remember that Steven can also play as a midfielder, so if the other players are of the right quality, you can manage the situation.

"He can play on the right, the left, as a second striker or in the midfield. He is a clever player and has quality. As long as we use that quality, it doesn't matter where he plays."

It is hard to imagine Gerrard regularly reverting to a deeper role than the one in which he has shone for his club, especially after Benitez warned Europe's giants they were "wasting their time" trying to lure Javier Mascherano away from Anfield.

The Spaniard revealed that "four or five clubs" are interested in the Argentina captain, but insisted Mascherano "knows the best option for him is this club, where he is an idol to the fans and important to the team and the manager".

Benitez is equally determined to keep hold of Xabi Alonso, despite interest from Juventus and Real Madrid, and is likely to revive his move for Gareth Barry, the Aston Villa player, as an alternative to, not a replacement for, the Basque.

Benitez is confident he will be able to sign Barry for around £9 million after Villa missed out on Champions League qualification.

No comments: