Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:20 pmRafa seems a little happier with Bellamy/Pannant these days:
Benitez praises pair's progress
By Phil Jackson - Created on 22 Dec 2006
Rafa Benitez believes Liverpool's investment in attackers Craig Bellamy and Jermaine Pennant is finally starting to bear fruit at Anfield.
The Reds splashed out £13million on the pair over the summer, but Benitez's side have thus far failed to live up to their pre-season billing.
Five defeats already in the league have seen them fall 13 points behind league leaders and arch rivals Manchester United.
But Bellamy's (pictured) record of three goals in the last four matches has boosted Benitez's festive thinking, and with Pennant looking more penetrative down the right, the Spaniard insists the duo are now starting to settle.
"He is happier now he is scoring goals. The understanding with Kuyt is good," Benitez explained about Bellamy.
"The understanding with Kuyt and [Peter] Crouch before was good and now with Kuyt, Craig is playing really well.
"He is now a threat for the defenders. He is always running behind them with his pace and with his ability always the defenders must be aware of him - but also that means the other players can profit from his movement.
"The understanding between the strikers and the understanding between the midfielders and strikers is good and I'm really pleased now.
"When we signed them [Bellamy and Pennant] we were waiting for something like this; a good winger crossing balls and a good striker running behind defenders and scoring goals and they are now playing well."
Benitez also dismissed suggestions that Pennant's improvement could cause him a selection headache with captain Steven Gerrard once central midfielder Mohamed Sissoko returns to fitness.
"I prefer to have this problem. If we continue winning games, after we have Momo available then okay, I think it is better to have two or three options within each position," added Benitez.
"At this moment I am really pleased with him [Gerrard] playing in the middle and Pennant playing on the right side.
"If Pennant continues playing well it will be very good for me in the future.
"The key is we have three or four players playing at a good level and so the team is playing well."
For now though, The Reds must focus on the visit of Premiership strugglers Watford on Saturday, as they look to close the gap on the top of the table.
Benitez praises pair's progress
By Phil Jackson - Created on 22 Dec 2006
Rafa Benitez believes Liverpool's investment in attackers Craig Bellamy and Jermaine Pennant is finally starting to bear fruit at Anfield.
The Reds splashed out £13million on the pair over the summer, but Benitez's side have thus far failed to live up to their pre-season billing.
Five defeats already in the league have seen them fall 13 points behind league leaders and arch rivals Manchester United.
But Bellamy's (pictured) record of three goals in the last four matches has boosted Benitez's festive thinking, and with Pennant looking more penetrative down the right, the Spaniard insists the duo are now starting to settle.
"He is happier now he is scoring goals. The understanding with Kuyt is good," Benitez explained about Bellamy.
"The understanding with Kuyt and [Peter] Crouch before was good and now with Kuyt, Craig is playing really well.
"He is now a threat for the defenders. He is always running behind them with his pace and with his ability always the defenders must be aware of him - but also that means the other players can profit from his movement.
"The understanding between the strikers and the understanding between the midfielders and strikers is good and I'm really pleased now.
"When we signed them [Bellamy and Pennant] we were waiting for something like this; a good winger crossing balls and a good striker running behind defenders and scoring goals and they are now playing well."
Benitez also dismissed suggestions that Pennant's improvement could cause him a selection headache with captain Steven Gerrard once central midfielder Mohamed Sissoko returns to fitness.
"I prefer to have this problem. If we continue winning games, after we have Momo available then okay, I think it is better to have two or three options within each position," added Benitez.
"At this moment I am really pleased with him [Gerrard] playing in the middle and Pennant playing on the right side.
"If Pennant continues playing well it will be very good for me in the future.
"The key is we have three or four players playing at a good level and so the team is playing well."
For now though, The Reds must focus on the visit of Premiership strugglers Watford on Saturday, as they look to close the gap on the top of the table.
