Liverpool FC Forum

[Paul C]

From the Echo:

RAFA BENITEZ has promised Liverpool will fill the holes in his under-fire squad this January, after admitting the club's failure to do so in the summer was 'a mistake'.

Benitez is happy with the four summer signings he made, but admits the team is now suffering because he couldn't recruit a right midfielder and centre-back.

But as the Reds seek to revive their Premiership fortunes against West Ham tomorrow, Benitez has vowed to remedy the frustation of the summer when the transfer window opens.

"In some positions, we don't have enough players," said Benitez today.

"You can't change things that happened in the summer now, but we can put it right in January. We know we need to think about the future.

"When you've missed a player you need in the summer, you must make sure you fill the position in January. Our scout department is working hard to find at least the two players we need, a right midfielder and centre-back.

"I'm confident we will sign the players we want in January because Liverpool are an attractive club to top players.

"If it's possible to sign more than two players, I will. I still hope Mark Gonzalez will be able to join us in January.

"The four players we signed in the summer give us more quality. We have done some good things, but we know we needed to do more. We've made two mistakes by not signing a right midfielder and a centre-back, but we got four things right with the players we brought in.

"We have a better squad than last year, but I think recent results show we don't have the balance.

"In some positions we know we need to do something for the future. We are preparing now for the transfer window.

"We tried hard to sign players for the right side and centre-backs, but when you try for one month for one player and then he says no, as in the case of Luis Figo, you have less time to go for the next name on your list. If that player isn't sure if he wants to join you either, you move to the next. You have a responsibility not to spend more than the player is worth.

"We had a lot of names in the summer, but they all proved difficult. I'm confident it will be different in January."

Steve Finnan is fit to face the Hammers tomorrow having recovered from a groin strain.

[RUSHIE#9]

This IMO is the root of our current problems, the clamour of fans saying Rafa is to blame with his tactics and constant rotation are out of order, I have felt for a long time that although the club are one of the bigger spenders in the prem they have always held the managers back in going for players; it's like they are waiting to see if they can get the same player cheaper - i mean come on this ain't like goin' to Tesco's for a loaf of bread and then thinkin' it might be cheaper in Asda. The best example in recent memory has to be the SIMAO deal, it's very clear that we need a player desperately in that position and although Benfica changed the price at the last minute the board should have said - right this is the player Rafa has asked for so lets make getting him more important than quibbling about the price 'cos we are more likely to achieve better success with him than without and he'll pay for himself in the end.   
Hopefully this'll change in the next transfer window and they'll back Rafa up with the funds for whatever player he wants and worry about the finances after 'cos they have been too careful for too long and to win the league I honestly think they need to throw a bit more caution to the wind - but not as much as frickin' leeds.

[Dundalk]

Figo was a big miss and after we lost him everything got a bit panicky, but we can do nothing about it now except soldier on, starting with (on my birthday) against the hammers

[Paul C]

I just hope that the players Rafa brings in settle quickly cos their going to be a big key to climbing up the league.

One other thing that interested me that the comment about Gonzalez maybe playing in January