Glen Johnson Can Be A Liverpool FC Wide Boy

Rafa Benitez doesn’t do favourites.

But if he did, Alvaro Arbeloa would probably figure pretty high on that list.

Rafa may be the master of the rotation policy, but the Spanish full-back has been his most consistent selection for the last two years.

He managed 43 starts last season, despite injury and suspension. The previous season he started 38.

Which all makes the £17m bid for Glen Johnson so surprising.

Even if a large portion of that fee isn’t handed over because of the outstanding monies owed by Portsmouth from Peter Crouch’s transfer, it’s still a hefty outlay for a full-back. Especially one for whom defending is far from a strong point.

Johnson’s recent performance against Kazakhstan was typical.

Taken to the cleaners time and again by a lively left winger, the first after barely 15 seconds, he then produced a mesmerizing run to put a goal on a plate for Wayne Rooney.

So maybe Rafa doesn’t plan to use him as a right-back at all?

Genuine width down Liverpool’s right side has been a problem ever since the wildly successful experiment to use Steven Gerrard out there was abandoned after 25 goals.

Glen Johnson may offer that width and penetration, without sacrificing Alvaro Arbeloa at all.

But where does that leave Dirk Kuyt?

It promises to be an intriguing summer at Anfield.

Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard Is Worth More Than Cristiano Ronaldo - Jan Molby

Former Liverpool midfielder Jan Molby believes that the expected £80 million transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo from Premier League champions Manchester United to La Primera giants Real Madrid would not be enough to land Steven Gerrard who, he believes, would never be up for sale.

Molby spent a dozen years at Anfield picking up two league titles and two FA Cups, and further revealed on the club's official website that he was the subject of a transfer bid from Real's competitive rivals Barcelona, but the deal fell through unexpectedly at the last minute.

Regarding the valuation of Gerrard, who has spent much of the last season in a secondary striker's position supplementing Fernando Torres, Molby said, "It's almost pointless putting a transfer fee on Gerrard because there are certain players who will never be for sale, and he falls into that category, whereas I feel Cristiano Ronaldo will probably be up for sale again at some point.

"But all of us at Liverpool know how valuable Gerrard is to the club and he would be worth more money than Cristiano Ronaldo," he opined.

On his conversations with the Catalunya outfit during his own playing days, Molby confirmed, "In November 1990 the transfer appeared set to go through. Liverpool had accepted a £1.6 million bid from Barcelona and I played in what I thought was my last game for the club against Luton.

"However, while I was away on international duty with Denmark the deal fell through. It would have been a nice experience to have played for Barcelona, but instead I stayed at Anfield for another six-years and that wasn't too bad!"

We Want Signings Not Sales, Says Carragher

Jamie Carragher is hoping that big-name arrivals rather than departures will be the story of Liverpool’s summer.

A number of the Anfield club’s high-profile names have been linked with big-money moves abroad, with the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid keeping a close eye on the financial situation at Liverpool.

But the Reds insist that signings, not sales, are the priority as Rafa Benitez looks to build a squad that can finally conquer the Premier League.

Carragher admits it is vitally important that stance is backed up, with Liverpool looking to go one better than last season’s second-place finish.

He said: “I’m like any fan, I get excited about who we might bring in. The players are exactly the same as the man on the street, you pick up the paper hoping you are going to see you’ve signed someone.

“But this summer there has been a bit of speculation about players moving on, so at the moment I’m hoping that doesn’t happen rather than people come in.

“We have got a great side at the moment, and I’m sure the manager will make a couple of additions, but we don’t want to lose anyone.”

One of those linked with a summer exit is Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso, but Carragher hopes those reports prove wide of the mark.

“He and Stevie Gerrard were probably our best two players last season. I think Stevie won Footballer of the Year, but if you asked the fans I think they would maybe say that Alonso was our best player last season, so he is certainly someone we don’t want to lose,” he said.

Carragher also believes that Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-breaking move to Real Madrid will help the chasing pack to close on champions Manchester United next term, but admits the Premier League champions will still be a force to be reckoned with next season.

He added: “He’s a great player and I think he will be a big miss for the Premiership. He makes a big difference to Manchester United, even though they have a lot of other great players, and I think he was the one for them.

“But I’m sure Sir Alex Ferguson knows what he is doing.”

I’d Love To See Rafa Emulate Shankly

Liverpool old boy Ian Callaghan reckons Anfield boss Rafa Benitez has a hint of Bill Shankly in his make-up.

But the former Kop favourite, who saw at firsthand what the legendary Scot achieved at the club, says the Spaniard will never be held in similar esteem even if he does finally end Liverpool’s wait for the Premier League crown next season.

“A lot of progress has been made over the past five years and Rafa is emerging as a fantastic manager in the club’s history,” said Callaghan, who made a record 857 appearances for the club.

“I really admire him and what he has achieved so far is exceptional.

“He has won the Champions League and the FA Cup, got to another Champions League final and just missed out on the title.

“This is the best league in the world and it’s very difficult when you’ve got other big clubs spending a great deal of money.

“But we came so close last season and if he can keep the squad together we only need a couple of additions.

“The Premier League has to be the number one priority because that’s what all the fans want. I’m looking forward to watching us make the next step.”

Callaghan knows all about gifted tacticians wrestling control of the club having been at Anfield during Shankly’s reign.

He signed as an apprentice in 1960 – just a few months after the Scotsman had taken over – and stayed for 18 years.

In that time the club were transformed from Second Division strugglers into champions of Europe.

Shankly resigned in 1974 after his 15 years in charge had yielded the Second Division title, three First Division championships, two FA Cups and the Uefa Cup.

“Like Bill Shankly, Rafa is a strong personality but you can’t really compare them,” Callaghan said.

“No disrespect to Rafa, but there will only ever be one Bill Shankly.

“He was in charge for 15 years and what he achieved was unbelievable. I was privileged to play under him

“Liverpool were a Second Division club going nowhere when he took over in 1959.

“We really needed someone who was very strong and outgoing to turn the club around because we weren't going anywhere until Shanks arrived.

“The foundations were laid by Shanks and Bob (Paisley) carried it on. Shanks turned the club around and got us back into the top division.

“It took a few seasons to get what he wanted but he changed everything. Liverpool are where they are today thanks to him.

“I would love to see Rafa go on to emulate what Shanks achieved.

“It’s been far too long since the club won the title and hopefully Steven Gerrard will finally get his hands on the trophy next season.”

Fans may still be waiting for the Reds’ first new signing to be paraded – but it has already been a summer of change at Anfield.

Celebrating his fifth anniversary this week as Liverpool boss, the Spaniard knows his position has never been stronger.

Benitez has finally secured the kind of influence he has always craved, his frustration at the Reds’ failure to complete transfer deals eased by the departure of chief executive Rick Parry.

Now Benitez has a much more hands-on role in securing targets.

Just like Bill Shankly when he walked into Anfield nearly 50 years ago, Benitez has a vision.

And he won’t be afraid to make difficult decisions which he believes will benefit Liverpool in the long term.