The Spine of my Team is Done - says Rafa

[koppper]

I did not notice this bit before - no doubt a Romario for which I will be pilloried.

 

Here

 

 

Dominic Fifield

Saturday January 13, 2007

The Guardian

 

 

Rafael Benítez has emerged from his most troubled week since assuming the reins at Liverpool to launch an impassioned defence of the club's progress under his stewardship, warning those who doubt his side's pedigree that they could yet overcome Barcelona and go on to emulate the Merseysiders' 2005 Champions League triumph.

Having witnessed Arsenal run riot at Anfield in the FA and Carling Cups in the space of a few days, Benítez was quick to stress that domestic knockout competitions were not his primary focus. Instead, he continues to crave success in the Premiership and European Cup and, having insisted he is at one with the club's board over their transfer policy, believes his side can recover their poise this season.

 

"I did not come here to win the Carling Cup," insisted the Spaniard, whose team visit bottom-placed Watford in the league this afternoon. "I came here to win the Premiership and to win the Champions League. Of course, we would like to win every trophy if possible, but I wanted to ensure that the club progresses. Maybe, in one or two months, those people criticising us now will see us winning against Barcelona and will be wondering whether we are going to win the Champions League again. They must be careful.

"When we were 11th in the league, people were saying we were a club in crisis, but I always had confidence. I think we will end up closer to the top two. When I decided to come here, it was because I thought we could move forward. We've won four trophies in 2½ years, so we're moving in the right direction."

 

He was quick to reject criticisms of his team selection - key players were rested - against a second-string Arsenal side on Tuesday. "As manager, I have a responsibility. I pick the best team in my opinion to win a particular game, but I am also thinking about the future of the club, and the future of this club is not about progressing to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup. It's to win the Premiership or the Champions League.

 

"In the next month we'll play Chelsea and Manchester United, and Barcelona in Europe, so to risk some players in the hope that you progress in the Carling Cup rather than keep them for these bigger games makes no sense. You have already seen Mohamed Sissoko and now Luis García injured in the Carling Cup this season.

 

"We were in the final of the Carling Cup two years ago but no one remembers that season for that. They remember that season because we won the Champions League. In the last few years, what we achieved in Europe was the reason we had enough money to buy Xabi Alonso, Sissoko, Peter Crouch or José Reina."

 

Benítez's immediate reaction to the 6-3 defeat, the club's worst at home in 77 years, had been to express frustration at the length of time it took his board to complete signings. While there has been no progress in the pursuit of Blackburn's Lucas Neill or the West Ham midfielder Javier Mascherano, Liverpool completed three transfers this week with the long-term in mind. The Argentinian winger Sebastián Leto will move from Lanus and will join Emiliano Insúa, from Boca Juniors, and Sampdoria's Italy under-21 goalkeeper Danielle Padelli at Anfield.

 

The manager was particularly pleased to secure Leto, who had been pursued by Real Betis, Sevilla, River Plate and Getafe, and counts the club's scouting department - emulating Arsenal's emphasis on signing youth - as his principal hope in hauling in the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United. "We spent ?150,000 (£100,000) on the 18-month loan fee for Insua, so it's not big money but shows we're doing the right things quickly," he added. "Other clubs wanted those three players so the fact that we got them shows we are moving faster than our rivals.

 

"The spine of my team is done and the value of my squad has doubled or tripled since I came here. I am working really hard, with my staff, the board, the chairman and the chief executive, because we all want the best for this club."

 

 

Are you listening Mr Alves?

[Alonso]

"The spine of my team is done and the value of my squad has doubled or tripled since I came here. I am working really hard, with my staff, the board, the chairman and the chief executive, because we all want the best for this club."

I'd say that's pretty much right:

 

Reina

Carragher

Agger

Gerrard

Alonso

Sissoko

Kuyt

[honourablegeorge]

I think Bellamy can go in there too.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

I'd say that's pretty much right:

 

Reina

Carragher

Agger

Gerrard

Alonso

Sissoko

Kuyt

 

I'd go along with that. I also agree with the exclusion of Bellamy and Crouch on the basis that in 2 seasons time, I would not be surprised if either had moved on to another club whereas I would be with Kuyt even though he is not here 6 months

[Guest Jodus]

I'd say that's pretty much right:

 

Reina

Carragher

Agger

Gerrard

Alonso

Sissoko

Kuyt

 

Yep, that's about right. Agger and Kuyt are the new additions, but both have proven that they are reliable and steady performers, you can trust them to perform at a high level.

[fred milne]

I take it we would be playing Mascherano on the wing if he signs.

[Mikey]

I'd go along with that. I also agree with the exclusion of Bellamy and Crouch on the basis that in 2 seasons time, I would not be surprised if either had moved on to another club whereas I would be with Kuyt even though he is not here 6 months

I personally think Bellamy has shown more than Kuyt so far and will be here for years, Kuyt for me misses far too many.

[Stevie H]

I take it we would be playing Mascherano on the wing if he signs.

 

maybe we're selling alonso?

 

[Rory Fitzgerald]

I take it we would be playing Mascherano on the wing if he signs.

 

He'll be treated like a dog !

[yellow jumper]

agree that our imeadiate problems probably lie in wide areas, but i still think we're also a top class centre-back and centre forward short of our rivals.

 

sami's been superb, but for me he's now no more than a good third choice option and probably on his last legs, while agger will be superb (and has been in patches) but still needs two or three seasons to become an indisputably dominant premiership defender.

[KD07]

What about Robbie?

[Guest spk]

i think kuyt has proved he works more than hard enough to make the grade. his only problem is his lack of end product. i strongly believe - and at times it really frustrates me watching him - that he needs to strike with is first touch. he seems to waste a lot of chances by trying to control it first, giving the opposition sufficient time to block/tackle. i'm sure that'll work itself out as he matures as a player in the EPL mind, but it's definitely an area he needs to improve

[floyd the barber]

agree that our imeadiate problems probably lie in wide areas, but i still think we're also a top class centre-back and centre forward short of our rivals.

 

sami's been superb, but for me he's now no more than a good third choice option and probably on his last legs, while agger will be superb (and has been in patches) but still needs two or three seasons to become an indisputably dominant premiership defender.

 

dare i say it but i think agger has become a bit overated on here....he has fantastic potential, but no way is he ready right now....seems poor in the air for someone of his height and definetly needs to toughen up a bit....

 

As you say he needs a couple of seasons to really develop...and sami is on his last legs, so....would it be wise to bring another center back? maybe someone 28-30 with a bit of experience.....we also dont really have good cover for carra...palletta certainly isnt ready yet.

[Romario]

dare i say it but i think agger has become a bit overated on here....he has fantastic potential, but no way is he ready right now....seems poor in the air for someone of his height and definetly needs to toughen up a bit....

 

As you say he needs a couple of seasons to really develop...and sami is on his last legs, so....would it be wise to bring another center back? maybe someone 28-30 with a bit of experience.....we also dont really have good cover for carra...palletta certainly isnt ready yet.

Neill?

[Poolfrog]

I personally think Bellamy has shown more than Kuyt so far and will be here for years, Kuyt for me misses far too many.

 

Woteva

[floyd the barber]

Neill?

 

would be a great option....looks like hes after more money though and seems to be headed for West Ham.

[fred milne]

he has fantastic potential, but no way is he ready right now

Our clean sheets record would suggest that he is "ready right now", although as you say he may get better yet.

Edited January 17, 2007 by fred milne

[Puskas]

dare i say it but i think agger has become a bit overated on here....he has fantastic potential, but no way is he ready right now....seems poor in the air for someone of his height and definetly needs to toughen up a bit....

 

As you say he needs a couple of seasons to really develop...and sami is on his last legs, so....would it be wise to bring another center back? maybe someone 28-30 with a bit of experience.....we also dont really have good cover for carra...palletta certainly isnt ready yet.

In the 13 Premiership games that Agger has started this season we have conceded the grand total of 3 goals (Hyppia is 17/15). That's pretty damn good for a defender who just turned 22 in December.

[honourablegeorge]

How many of the Chelsea/Arsneal etc games did each start?

[_00_deathscar]

Agger started both Chelsea games, whereas I believe Sami started all three Arsenal games.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

Agger has been our best centreback this season. Hard to see how he is not ready.

[honourablegeorge]

Jerzy throwing them in probably skews Sami's numbers a fair old bit.

[fred milne]

Jerzy throwing them in probably skews Sami's numbers a fair old bit.

I thought the numbers were for Premiership games.

[Puskas]

I thought the numbers were for Premiership games.

They were. I deliberately left out the cup games because of the weaker line-ups in those games.

[Puskas]

How many of the Chelsea/Arsneal etc games did each start?

Toughest away games (so far, we haven't played Portsmouth/Reading/City/Newcastle/Fulham away yet):

 

Agger started Chelsea/Spurs/Blackburn/Boro away - 2 goals conceded, W1 D1 L2

Hyppia started Man U/Arsenal/Bolton/Everton away - 10 goals conceded, W0, D0, L4