RAFA WANTS FITTER REDS
by Paul Higham - created on 27 Jun 2005
Rafa Benitez says that he will be putting his Liverpool players through a rigorous pre-season schedule, and a new Spanish coach will arrive at Anfield to put them through their paces.
Liverpool returned to their Melwood training ground on Monday, incredibly just 33 days after their famous UEFA Champions league win over Milan.
With Champions League qualifying starting in mid-July, Benitez aims to make sure his side hit the ground running.
The Spaniard wants his side to be fitter and stronger than last season, and aims to give them a severe workout in the build up to the start of their season, kicking off with a defence of the European crown.
"We need to train harder at the start and change the culture of pre-season here," Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.
"If we sign new players after today, they will have to start afresh.
"But I want all the players to show the right mentality from the very beginning of pre-season and this will make it easier for them throughout the rest of the year.
"I'm sure you will see a fitter, stronger Liverpool this season."
Benitez is due to add to his coaching staff in the next few days, with a new fitness coach arriving from Spain.
Enrique Sanz was the fitness coach with newly promoted Segunda Liga side Hercules, but he will now make the move to Anfield to beef-up the club's fitness regime.
"I was speaking with Benitez and he bombarded me with questions," Sanz told Marca.
"The following day they proposed the move to me.
"I would be the right hand man for Ayestaran (Paco, Benitez's assistant) in the first team, and to prepare the reserve team."
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