Rafael Benitez says Liverpool’s fans should share his pride that Juventus want to make him their new manager.
On Friday the Spaniard spoke of being flattered by the apparent approaches from the Turin club, increasing speculation the Anfield manager will leave at the end of the season.
Speaking after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League, Benitez praised the Liverpool supporters who sang his name and believes they should take the advances from Juve as a compliment.
Despite a lethargic first half display, Liverpool rallied to record the win over Owen Coyle’s Wanderers and move themselves within one point of fourth place, currently occupied by Tottenham Hotspur.
Benitez said: “I don’t think I said anything strange because if a top side is watching your manager you have to be really proud and I also said I am really proud to be here.
“The fans they know we have to fight and improve and talk about things they want; the stadium, we talk about investment, things they want. We are together in these aims. If you have a top side watching your manager then you have to be proud.
“We did not play too well, that is clear and I was really disappointed but in the second half you could see everything had changed. In terms of the effort and commitment you could not say anything but we were not playing well, but the second half was much better.
“The confidence was there. Clearly we need to improve but we are going forward doing the right things.
“We have been talking about clean sheets as something we needed to improve. We now have 10, similar to Chelsea so that is very positive. If we carry on and stay at the same level in defence and then improve in attack then that is the way to win games.”
The activity of Liverpool in the January transfer window has been one of the most closely scrutinised and with the deadline for player movement 5pm on Monday, Benitez admits he still has targets.
Benitez confirmed there was money at his disposal following the sale of three players but conceded it was always difficult to find players of the required quality at the right price.
“We have sold Voronin, Dossena and Mihaylov so we have some money but the question is whether the players are available or not,” added Benitez.
“It is more difficult because you have to spend big money if you want to sign a fantastic player or maybe you have the money but they will not be available.
“We have some names who we are trying to see if we can do something but it is not easy.
“We have two or three positions we are looking at but it will be more difficult than easy.
“To bring in Maxi was good because he understands the game and can play good football if you can bring someone who can add something then that will be positive but if you cannot we have to manage with the players we have. We have some players coming back from injuries.”
On Friday the Spaniard spoke of being flattered by the apparent approaches from the Turin club, increasing speculation the Anfield manager will leave at the end of the season.
Speaking after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League, Benitez praised the Liverpool supporters who sang his name and believes they should take the advances from Juve as a compliment.
Despite a lethargic first half display, Liverpool rallied to record the win over Owen Coyle’s Wanderers and move themselves within one point of fourth place, currently occupied by Tottenham Hotspur.
Benitez said: “I don’t think I said anything strange because if a top side is watching your manager you have to be really proud and I also said I am really proud to be here.
“The fans they know we have to fight and improve and talk about things they want; the stadium, we talk about investment, things they want. We are together in these aims. If you have a top side watching your manager then you have to be proud.
“We did not play too well, that is clear and I was really disappointed but in the second half you could see everything had changed. In terms of the effort and commitment you could not say anything but we were not playing well, but the second half was much better.
“The confidence was there. Clearly we need to improve but we are going forward doing the right things.
“We have been talking about clean sheets as something we needed to improve. We now have 10, similar to Chelsea so that is very positive. If we carry on and stay at the same level in defence and then improve in attack then that is the way to win games.”
The activity of Liverpool in the January transfer window has been one of the most closely scrutinised and with the deadline for player movement 5pm on Monday, Benitez admits he still has targets.
Benitez confirmed there was money at his disposal following the sale of three players but conceded it was always difficult to find players of the required quality at the right price.
“We have sold Voronin, Dossena and Mihaylov so we have some money but the question is whether the players are available or not,” added Benitez.
“It is more difficult because you have to spend big money if you want to sign a fantastic player or maybe you have the money but they will not be available.
“We have some names who we are trying to see if we can do something but it is not easy.
“We have two or three positions we are looking at but it will be more difficult than easy.
“To bring in Maxi was good because he understands the game and can play good football if you can bring someone who can add something then that will be positive but if you cannot we have to manage with the players we have. We have some players coming back from injuries.”
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