Come June 2008, Rafael Benitez is going to be one busy man.
Caught between warring factions of the Liverpool board, he can only hope that the disputes are settled when the transfer window opens. For the last few years, Benitez has lamented not being able to land his first transfer choices, and then lambasted for his transfers being duds.
The man needs money, and he needs the support of the club—period. Frankly, the club would be much better off in the hands of one single person (even Hicks)—at least we'd have an owner and washed laundry instead of the three stooges at the helm (namely Hicks, Gillett and Parry).
Some highly rated players are being heavily linked with a move to Anfield, like Luka Modric, Rafinha, Valeron Behrami and Michael Johnson.
While there seems to be sense in bolstering the full back position—I really don't see the need for another midfielder—however talented. Liverpool has an excess of creative midfielders of varying styles in Gerrard, Alonso, Lucas and even Benayoun (the last quarter of the Blackburn match being the case in point).
This summer looks like cleaning season for the boss, as he looks to replace Kewell, Riise, Pennant, Crouch and (hopefully) Kuyt (yes I know he's been playing well under the 4-2-3-1 formation but I don't really remember the last time he even looked like half a striker rather than looking three-fourths a winger).
While Hyypia might also be on the way out, personally—he deserves another season, as a stop gap measure, in between Skrtel and Agger.
With the imminent departure of Pennant and Riise and Kuyt, and the sudden glut of quality wingers in the transfer market—Benitez should really go all out and pay top dollar for a winger (or two).
David Bentley or Joe Cole—seem obvious English choices; with Benzema, Ben Arfa, Hleb, Quarasema and Van der Vaart also seemingly available. While Bentley has been identified as a key target by many, what is really needed is a winger like Joe Cole—who has the capacity to produce the creative flair which was promised and sporadically delivered by Harry Kewell.
Strikers like Samuel Eto'o and Davd Villa are being talked about in the press in conjunction with the club, but such transfer rumors are just plainly that—rumors. In the present situation, such high profile spending seems to be a long way off.
So, while so many players seem to be on their way out—Benitez has either of two solutions at hand—to import by the truckloads—or a combination of splashing big money and trusting his reserves.
While the money generated by these outgoing players (except Hyypia and Kewell—whose contract expires at the end of the season) can be pumped back in to get a few top quality players—Benitez should really refrain from replacing man for man.
Instead he should take a leaf out of Wenger's book and start trusting his exceptionally gifted youth and reserve team.
With the reserve league in the bag—quality players like Jordy Brouwer, Nemeth, El Zhar, Dani Pacheo and Insua deserve to play their bit parts in the coming season.
Especially El Zhar, who's already scored a senior team goal for the club and Dani Pacheco, the ex-Barca starlet who was whisked away much like Fabregas, on the day his contract expired.
Moreover, Danny Guthrie should be recalled from Bolton and Jack Hobbs given more match practise, to consolidate on our existing resources.
Its hard to believe that a club like Liverpool can't produce a single player rising from the youth team or the reserves in the last few years. In fact, I really don't remember the last time the club had a local lad or even a reserve to play regularly for the first team— since the Gerrard, Owen, Carragher, McManaman era.
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3 months ago
I don't think Liverpool need a striker as Torres has things covered and no world class player is coming to play second fiddle. So hang on to Kyt and Vorinin as stop gap measures arise after an injury.
With Agger fit and Hyppia still around the centre of defence is alright too.
I don't rate Alonso though and all the other positions I feel need some changes.
Having said that another buy like Torres could spark the whole squad on to better things.
3 months ago
Assuming of course Benitez is still Liverpool manager come the start of next season.
3 months ago
I have this weird feeling Benitez is going to do something stupid like buy a new goalie...
Argh! Liverpool fustrates me...they don't perform as well as we all know they can in the EPL...but make it to the final stages of the CL.
Once again: ARGH!
3 months ago
Echoing Chris' point here. Its "Assuming" Rafa is still at the helm. Its just as likely he wont be here next year as he will...
3 months ago
Yeah.. I know .. the whole situations giving me chelsea-esque nightmares. Still, my whole point is that we don't need 'reinforcements', but some top quality and that the reinforcements can come from within the club, i.e. the reserves.
3 months ago
I personally hope that Benitez leaves Liverpool and they bring in Jose Mohrinho, then we will get all the Chelsea players, and we should do well in the Premiership.
from 3 months ago
Are you out of your mind?! Change our Liverpool way to some Chelski style of play?
from 3 months ago
Agree with Shafiq. Not that Liverpool's style of play of was any better than Chelsea's in Jose's days. But for the simple fact that, it would be morally wrong for Jose to join Liverpool......
He would create a whole lot more enemies for himself, to add to the ones he already got...
3 months ago
Assuming Rafa is in charge next season (and personally I think he will be) then there is no chance of Kuyt leaving for starters. Crouch also has a contract offer on the table, and I think he might stay as well. Hyypia has already signed a new contract so he isn't going anywhere.
I could see Pennant and Kewell leaving, and possibly Riise, Alonso and Carson. Riise seems to be down the pecking order now and probably needs a move to get his career back on track, while Alonso's general form in the last 2 seasons has been disappointing after an excellent first two seasons. Kewell and Pennant are not good enough and Carson wants regular football.
We have a young Argentinian left back in the reserves who has been earning rave reviews, Emiliano Insua, so we might not need to replace Riise directly. With Kewell and Pennant leaving we will need at least one winger and maybe two. If Alonso leaves we will need a new central midfield player, unless Danny Guthrie or Jay Spearing make the step up to the first team. We might sign another goalkeeper with Carson leaving. I don't think we need a striker as Torres is awesome, Crouch good back up, Voronin a steady reserve and young Kristian Nemeth has 8 in 9 games for the reserves.
I predict a maximum of 5 senior players signing this summer, and at least one of them will be big money, probably £12m plus for a quality wide player, I wouldn't be suprised if its David Bentley.
from 3 months ago
We really shouldn't sell Pennant of all people - I really think he's a very consistent player. Kewell is out on borrowed times. With Alonso - again the same, he has the capacity to be one of the most influential players in the league, so selling him would be an GODAWFUL decision to take, but with all the noises that are being made with Behrami and Mordic, it looks like a possibility. As for keepers - the reserve goalie Bouzanis has been highly praised, even by Benitez - who called him the best young keeper in the world.
Voronin should really be shown the door - but youngsters like Pacheo and Nemeth given a longer run in the first team.
3 months ago
I believe that Rafa will be here next season, he's given so much to the club and I don't think he'll leave, and if the board fires him, that'll be the biggest damn mistake they can ever hope to make because all of the fans will rise up against them
3 months ago
Doesnt matter who Liverpool sign up for next season because it does not make any difference. Liverpool are experts at signing great players and turning them into ordinary players.
Liverpool is a graveyard for talented players. There is no club like it anywhere else in the world.
There is something rotten at Liverpool.
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