Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Rafa Benitez: Give Me Money To Strengthen Squad

Rafael Benitez will deliver a plea to Liverpool’s owners to release more transfer funds – as he allayed fears of an injury crisis in defence.

The Anfield manager has seen his efforts at squad strengthening hampered by the financial restraints currently placed upon him by American duo Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

While spending £37million to sign Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani, Benitez has effectively recouped that outlay with the sales of Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and reserve players such as Sebastian Leto, Jack Hobbs and Paul Anderson.

Benitez is determined to bring more players before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, with a centre-back the priority.

Liverpool have offered £6m for Hull City’s Michael Turner, but Tigers manager Phil Brown wants twice that amount.

Sylvain Distin of Portsmouth would be a cheaper alternative, while Benitez is also running the rule over Stoke City's 21-year-old defender Ryan Shawcross. And of the subject of how much money there is available, Benitez said: “It is something I have to talk with the club about. We have some ideas and we have to discuss these ideas. We will see what will happen. We are talking about these things.

“We are working always. We try to be ready just in case (we can sign someone), but you never know. It depends on the prices.

“We know that with the Premier League and three other competitions it is really tough to manage and compete in. We are analysing the young players we have and we will see if we can improve and if we need something we will talk with the owners. We have to work with the players we have at this moment and keep working with the scouting department. The main thing for me is we have one week to work and prepare the players.”

It was expected that Benitez would be handed a transfer kitty of at least £20m this summer after Liverpool’s owners agreed a new refinancing package with the banks.

The Anfield manager was reluctant to go into details, but it was evident he believes his squad needs further investment to improve their chances of a first championship since 1990.

“We had some money but I will not talk about figures,” said Benitez. “On the record or off the record when you talk about figures I think it is clear. I will not say anything. I don’t have the answer.

“We are working hard with the players we have and the money we have. Always it is difficult to compete in the Premier League with clubs who have more money.”

A new centre-back has become even more pressing after Carragher handed Liverpool another injury scare at the weekend.

The defender suffered a twisted left ankle early on during the 2-1 friendly defeat at home to Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

With Martin Skrtel struggling with a hamstring injury and Daniel Agger’s back an ongoing concern, Liverpool were without any senior centre-backs for the majority of the game, with Danny Ayala partnered by another young Spaniard, Mikel San Jose, once Carragher hobbled off on 16 minutes.

Atletico won thanks to first-half goals from Kun Aguero and Diego Forlan with Lucas netting a late consolation for Liverpool.

Carragher underwent a scan yesterday with neither the player nor Benitez expecting the damage to be serious.

And Benitez is confident at least two of Skrtel, Agger and Carragher will be available come Sunday’s Premier League opener at Tottenham Hotspur.

“I am 80% sure,” said the manager. “The game against Atletico was very difficult for the young players. We conceded the first goal with 10 men and then they were playing against two strikers who are one of the best partnerships in Spain.

“If you have one or two senior players around them at Spurs, I think it could be different.”

Fernando Torres suffered a slight ankle injury at the weekend, but was substituted only as a precaution.

Both Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard are in England’s squad for Wednesday’s friendly in Holland, while Martin Kelly has been called up for England’s under-20 game with Montenegro tomorrow night.

1 comment:

Steve said...

I think Liverpool could certainly do with the cover at the back, and getting a player proven in the Premiership seems sensible. Plus, if UEFA are to change the rules so more English-born players are necessary, Turner or Shawcross could be good investments...providing the price is right.

With Carra getting older and Skrtel and Agger having continuing injury problems someone needs to come in.