New assistant manager Sammy Lee believes Liverpool are already "close" to a title-challenging team.
Lee rejoined the club’s coaching staff last Friday as number two to Rafael Benitez following the departure of first-team coach Alex Miller to Japan.
Benitez has also wasted no time in strengthening his playing squad for next season, with Philipp Degen yesterday officially confirmed as a free transfer arrival from Borussia Dortmund when his contract with the Bundesliga club expires on July 1.
And Lee, who rejoined the club’s coaching staff on Friday, reckons Liverpool are not far away from being genuine contenders.
He said: “This club has made great strides over recent years. People ask when are we going to win the league, and there is no doubt about it, that is the one the fans want.
“Liverpool will always aim to be number one, you do not aim for anything else at this football club.
“I do not think we are very far away from a title-challenging side. People may say differently, but I do not think so.
“It is fine lines in certain games, little things here and there. We are not far away.”
He added: “Everyone wants the title, everyone at this club, not just Sammy Lee. Everyone who supports this club knows exactly what we want and that is what we are aiming for.
“We do not aim for anything less than the top spot. We have not had it for a while, granted, but to aim for anything less would be doing this club a disservice.
“I can say that everyone here has been and is looking forward to getting that number one spot.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool winger Harry Kewell is determined to show Rafael Benitez that he was wrong to let him go.
The 29-year-old will be released by the Anfield outfit this summer after five years at the club which have largely been ruined by injuries and lack of form.
The former Leeds United player remains confident of his own abilities, however, and insists he has nothing to prove to anyone – except Benitez.
“The one person I’d like to show is my old manager,” said Kewell. “I didn’t get a chance to show him a lot of what I could do and it would be great to show him what I was capable of doing.
“I didn’t put my hand up to be injured. It’s one of those things you have to go through in your life and it’s a shame.”
Kewell has also played down reports claiming he has already agreed a deal with Portsmouth.
“Apparently my agent did it (a deal with Portsmouth) while he was on the plane coming over to Australia, so I don’t know how he’s done that,” Kewell said on a trip to his homeland.
“But I’ve never shied away from going abroad. I’ve never shied away from playing in the Premier League, I’ve never shied away from playing anywhere.
“My options are open and we’ll see what happens.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Academy team have released defender Mattone Awang, winger Ben Parsonage and striker Michael Collins.
Swedish midfielder Astrit Ajdarevic, who was part of the FA Youth Cup-winning team in 2007, is still under contract as an Academy player but is currently looking for another club, while Shane O’Connor and Michael Scott will stay on at the Academy next season as third-year players.
Lee rejoined the club’s coaching staff last Friday as number two to Rafael Benitez following the departure of first-team coach Alex Miller to Japan.
Benitez has also wasted no time in strengthening his playing squad for next season, with Philipp Degen yesterday officially confirmed as a free transfer arrival from Borussia Dortmund when his contract with the Bundesliga club expires on July 1.
And Lee, who rejoined the club’s coaching staff on Friday, reckons Liverpool are not far away from being genuine contenders.
He said: “This club has made great strides over recent years. People ask when are we going to win the league, and there is no doubt about it, that is the one the fans want.
“Liverpool will always aim to be number one, you do not aim for anything else at this football club.
“I do not think we are very far away from a title-challenging side. People may say differently, but I do not think so.
“It is fine lines in certain games, little things here and there. We are not far away.”
He added: “Everyone wants the title, everyone at this club, not just Sammy Lee. Everyone who supports this club knows exactly what we want and that is what we are aiming for.
“We do not aim for anything less than the top spot. We have not had it for a while, granted, but to aim for anything less would be doing this club a disservice.
“I can say that everyone here has been and is looking forward to getting that number one spot.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool winger Harry Kewell is determined to show Rafael Benitez that he was wrong to let him go.
The 29-year-old will be released by the Anfield outfit this summer after five years at the club which have largely been ruined by injuries and lack of form.
The former Leeds United player remains confident of his own abilities, however, and insists he has nothing to prove to anyone – except Benitez.
“The one person I’d like to show is my old manager,” said Kewell. “I didn’t get a chance to show him a lot of what I could do and it would be great to show him what I was capable of doing.
“I didn’t put my hand up to be injured. It’s one of those things you have to go through in your life and it’s a shame.”
Kewell has also played down reports claiming he has already agreed a deal with Portsmouth.
“Apparently my agent did it (a deal with Portsmouth) while he was on the plane coming over to Australia, so I don’t know how he’s done that,” Kewell said on a trip to his homeland.
“But I’ve never shied away from going abroad. I’ve never shied away from playing in the Premier League, I’ve never shied away from playing anywhere.
“My options are open and we’ll see what happens.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Academy team have released defender Mattone Awang, winger Ben Parsonage and striker Michael Collins.
Swedish midfielder Astrit Ajdarevic, who was part of the FA Youth Cup-winning team in 2007, is still under contract as an Academy player but is currently looking for another club, while Shane O’Connor and Michael Scott will stay on at the Academy next season as third-year players.
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