by 2520years » Wed May 10, 2006 11:54 am
From football.co.uk
Rafa ready to spend
Wednesday May 10 2006 11:31
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is preparing for another busy summer in the transfer market as he looks to mount a genuine title challenge next season.
The Spaniard has already signed 19 players during his two years at Anfield, but he is still not convinced his squad is strong enough to rip the Premiership crown away from Chelsea.
"This is a time when we must be careful with our decisions," said Benitez.
"When I talk with (chief executive) Rick Parry and the chairman (David Moores), they know we are closer now than we've been in a long time.
"They have more experience than me of what's happened at the club and they know we must be careful with new signings. We know the areas where we need to sign the right players.
"I know we can improve. That's the sensation I feel now. With the players we have, and by signing the right players, we will be better.
"Other clubs will be looking to improve, too, and we need to be aware of what they do to make sure if they improve their squad a little, we improve even more."
Benitez was delighted with the strides his team made in the season just finished, but admitted the final nine-point difference between Chelsea and the third-placed Reds was misleading.
He added: "The gap between ourselves and the top was nine points in the end, but that's not a very clear reflection because over the last games it's difficult to say Chelsea would have made the same selections if they'd needed the points.
"I never had a points target in mind at the start of the season. We just thought of improving with every game and correcting our mistakes.
"Every summer is important in terms of signing players, but now I know my team better and the qualities of every player, and we know what to do to keep one step ahead."
Is it just me, or does Rafa always talk sense? I wonder which positions he wants to strengthen. I would say Right Wing (as oppose to Right Midfield) and a striker, but I'm not sure it'll be that simple.
My earliest memory.