RAFA: NOBODY IS SAFE
David Maddock In Athens 22/05/2007
RUTHLESS Rafa Benitez has warned his Liverpool side that even winning the Champions League will not spare them from the axe.
The Liverpool manager has vowed to continue rebuilding his team despite reaching their second European Cup final in three years.
He is ready to rip apart the current squad to draft in the big-name players he insists are required to bring the Premiership title back to Anfield for the first time in 18 years.
"I know we can improve, and we will do that by bringing in new players with character, quality and experience," he said.
"We know we have to progress, and we need to keep going forward.
"I am happy with my players, and I think we are going in the right direction, but this final is just a stopping point on the way. We need to improve to challenge in the Premiership.
"We want to achieve even more. It is important not to think that by getting to the final we have done everything, because we have the potential to be one of the biggest clubs in Europe in every way.
"We are already one of the most famous names in football, but we have the chance to take advantage of our position - it will be an important summer."
Benitez will be free to sign the players he wants after being given a massive injection of funds from new American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. He aims to bring in a top class striker of the quality of Samuel Eto'o or Fernando Torres, and he is also close to landing Brazil star Daniel Alves and Argentine defender Gabriel Milito, both of whom have had outstanding seasons in Spain.
The Anfield chief is also interested in signing Charlton striker Darren Bent. With the exception of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Dirk Kuyt, no player in the current squad can feel completely safe.
Jerzy Dudek will leave in the summer, and the likes of Bolo Zenden, Mark Gonzalez, Sami Hyypia, Scott Carson, Harry Kewell, and even one of the strike pair of Craig Bellamy or Peter Crouch, and influential midfielder Xabi Alonso could be sweating over their futures.
CLICKY - The Mirror
David Maddock In Athens 22/05/2007
RUTHLESS Rafa Benitez has warned his Liverpool side that even winning the Champions League will not spare them from the axe.
The Liverpool manager has vowed to continue rebuilding his team despite reaching their second European Cup final in three years.
He is ready to rip apart the current squad to draft in the big-name players he insists are required to bring the Premiership title back to Anfield for the first time in 18 years.
"I know we can improve, and we will do that by bringing in new players with character, quality and experience," he said.
"We know we have to progress, and we need to keep going forward.
"I am happy with my players, and I think we are going in the right direction, but this final is just a stopping point on the way. We need to improve to challenge in the Premiership.
"We want to achieve even more. It is important not to think that by getting to the final we have done everything, because we have the potential to be one of the biggest clubs in Europe in every way.
"We are already one of the most famous names in football, but we have the chance to take advantage of our position - it will be an important summer."
Benitez will be free to sign the players he wants after being given a massive injection of funds from new American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. He aims to bring in a top class striker of the quality of Samuel Eto'o or Fernando Torres, and he is also close to landing Brazil star Daniel Alves and Argentine defender Gabriel Milito, both of whom have had outstanding seasons in Spain.
The Anfield chief is also interested in signing Charlton striker Darren Bent. With the exception of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Dirk Kuyt, no player in the current squad can feel completely safe.
Jerzy Dudek will leave in the summer, and the likes of Bolo Zenden, Mark Gonzalez, Sami Hyypia, Scott Carson, Harry Kewell, and even one of the strike pair of Craig Bellamy or Peter Crouch, and influential midfielder Xabi Alonso could be sweating over their futures.
CLICKY - The Mirror
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