標題: Can we win the premier league title with our curre [打印本頁] 作者: cfloo 時間: 2009-1-7 09:44 PM 標題: Can we win the premier league title with our curre
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes he can win the Premier League title with the players he has got.
Ithas become clear that the Anfield chief is highly unlikely to delveinto the transfer market this month, with very little prospect of anyof his first-team squad stars leaving the club.
There is a veryobvious desire at the club not to rock the boat at any level withLiverpool top of the table and aiming for their first title in 19 years.
Sourcesat the club confirm that Benitez has made no move to re-sign EmileHeskey, despite constant speculation that the England international wason his way back to Merseyside.
And Liverpool have FernandoTorres, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio and Alvaro Arbeloa all back frominjury to boost the side in the final 18 league games of the season.
Benitezsaid: "We finished 2008 very well, we played with style and have scoreda lot of goals. I am very pleased and happy with the situation and hopeit will be the same in the new year.
"We have other playersapart from Torres coming back from injury. There is Skrtel, Aurelio andArbeloa all fit now. It will be like signing three new players.
"We do not need to go into the transfer market, we are certainly not desperate to do so.
"If we find we need something we will try, but it is always hard in this window and very expensive.
"But we are in a good position and I am happy to use the players we have now plus the ones returning from injury."
Theonly departure is likely to be out-of-favour Jermaine Pennant, whosecontract expires at the end of the season. And if a deal cannot besecured, Benitez will send the winger out on loan.
Benitez willrebuff any attempts by AC Milan to sign defender Daniel Agger, whileAndreas Dossena, who would have been a possible departure, is nowneeded as back-up for Aurelio at left-back.
That is becauseLiverpool will lose impressive Argentinian youngster Emiliano Insuauntil February 8 due to the South American Under-20 Championships.
Insua has made a big impact in recent weeks, and the international call-up could not have come at a worse time for him.
Hehas recently broken into Benitez's first team and done well in foursuccessive matches. But his enforced international departure has beenoffset by the return from injury of Aurelio.
One player,17-year-old striker Marvin Pourie, is leaving the club in a £50,000($A103,116) switch to Schalke. Pourie joined Liverpool's academy 18months ago from Borussia Dortmund but has not made the breakthroughexpected.
With things going well on the pitch, the club'scontroversial American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have optedfor a low profile to maintain the club's concentration on their titlebid.
The widely-touted six-month extension to their £350million ($A721.81million) of loans has also been confirmed.
Thatmove was always expected, with the club more than capable of meetingthe interest payments. And the last thing Liverpool need now, aftertheir experiences of last season, is a high-profile battle for controlof the club.
The Americans will have to repay the £350million orsell up in the northern summer, and by then they hope for an easing ofthe credit crunch which will encourage potential buyers.
If Liverpool are champions, that will further help their cause.
UEFAChampions League qualification for next season should also by then havebeen assured. With a 10-point lead over fifth-placed Arsenal atpresent, it is a decent bet that Liverpool will finish in the top fouragain, and maintain the flow of UEFA cash into the Anfield coffers.
Thedate of Liverpool's FA Cup fourth-round home tie with Everton has beenset for Sunday, January 24 with the league visit to Wigan the followingweek moved from Tuesday to Wednesday, January 28.
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Afterreading this article i wanted to know everyones opinion on our currentsquad, do we belive we have the credentials to win with what we got? Ifnot, what do we need, another striker? Right winger? etc. Also, if youcan, make references to players you would like to see signed and howwould you have them played in the team.
Personally, witheveryone fit, i believe our squad has enough depth and quality to winthis year. Only person i might sign would be Owen as a possiblesubstitute forward in case Torres or Keane is injured.
Your thoughts people??作者: lebron1988 時間: 2009-1-9 05:47 PM
