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Gerrard wants Liverpool to spend big to boost title prospects
| Written by: AFP |
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| 2008-05-14 04:43:33 |  |
LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Steven Gerrard admits Liverpool will only challenge for the Premier League title next season if Rafa Benitez spends big money.
Gerrard is desperate to make up for another disappointing domestic campaign after Benitez's side slipped out of the title race by Christmas and finished nine points behind champions Manchester United. Gerrard knows that gap won't be closed unless Benitez is given substantial backing from the Anfield board to bring in several world-class players. Benitez has already met Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks to draw up a transfer battle plan, with Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry and Borussia Dortmund defender Philip Degn on his wanted list, but Gerrard wants more investment from the Anfield hierarchy. "Obviously I have to be careful that I don't send expectations through the roof again, but for me I am desperate for it (a title challenge). I believe in this team and this manager and believe we can make it happen," Gerrard said. "We need help and new players and the manager needs help from the board to make these signings happen and make us stronger. "I don't know much about Rafa's transfer plans. He doesn't call me in and tell me names. "But he does assure me and the other players that if anyone becomes available who would strengthen the side, then he will go out and buy them. It's important Rafa gets the right backing above him as well. "Sometimes you have to realise there are other sides that are as good as us who are strengthening and working hard as well. They want it just as much as us. "But it has been a long time for this club (since winning the league), so we all maybe need to give that extra five or 10 per cent. "It's difficult to say how many world-class players we need. You look at the points difference and over the last few years we have made it smaller. "Playing against the Arsenals and Chelsea, it has been close. We are giving them good games which are tight and get decided on small details." The close-season in England has often been a difficult time for Gerrard while rumours fly that he is set to leave. Inter Milan are this year's front runners to sign the Liverpool captain if reports are to be believed, but he insists he has no plans to quit. "I'm happy here and enjoying my football. Obviously I am not happy ending the season without a trophy because I am a winner and that is what I play the game for," he said. "I like finishing the season having a trophy or cup final to look back on and seeing I've achieved something. "The experiences I've had at this club in Istanbul (when they beat AC Milan to capture the Champions League), Cardiff and so on - I want these again because I've enjoyed them so much." |
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Discuss- Add comment
BesTalentScout May 14th, 2008 10:43
RAFA keeps signing players that makes little difference...........his list of FLOP signings is soooooooo long........LOL.........to win title, Rafa has got to go 1st........
Giorgio May 14th, 2008 14:03
Liverpool will have to spend really big, and this time they will need to buy quality players.My question is: does Benitez really know what he's doing, when it comes to buying players ? I'm beginning to have my doubts. Ever since he's been at Anfield he's bought unknown players who, in most cases, didn't make the difference.
Giorgio May 14th, 2008 14:04
I agree with BesTalentScout: Benitez is the problem and he's got to go. Liverpool will otherwise not achieve anything.ajax72 May 14th, 2008 17:50
Why don't they try to create a couple of their own players for a change? In the long run it's more productive. Trouble is most of the rich clubs want all and want it now. The result is absolutely exaggerated expenses with little or no return.Redhead May 14th, 2008 18:40
You jokers know little or nothing, though Ajax72 is right about the biggest clubs snapping up the talent: that's what happens when the game becomes a part of the entertainment industry.Benitez has spent less than half of what Chelsea's spent over the time he's been at LFC, and around half of his signings have been at least moderately successful, which is about par for the course. A very young reserve team won the northern reserve league and the north/south championship, so younger talent is coming along. Rafa is in it for the long haul, he has a plan that allows him to cope with the greater spending power of Chelsea and Man U, if the owners will let him.
The situation he has to deal with is objectively difficult (Man U and Chelsea have strong, expensive squads and lots of money to play with; Wenger has an excellent eye for talent, though not the money of Chelsea and Man U). Rafa may not put LFC over the top, but the idea that he is the obstacle is foolish beyond belief, and could be held only by someone willing to ignore, or just ignorant of, the reality of the situation.
chakal May 14th, 2008 20:05
Rafa is a great fit fo LFC, i think he doesn't need big names, he needs motivated players.LFC need a new defense line, and one more wing, and they could be a title contender next season.