Benitez: Skrtel on Liverpool radar since he was 18

[Bender]

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admits he had been following Martin Skrtel for some years before moving for him in January.

He told liverpoolfc.tv: "I will repeat again, we knew the player when he was 18. The scouts knew about him. Some people went to see Everton play Zenit and after they were talking about this player with ability, but we already had three or four videos. We were looking at three or four centre-backs but I liked him. We sent our people there because we knew he was the player for us. It is difficult to settle down here but Martin has been really good."

Benitez added: "Yes, we work really hard. You can make mistakes, that's normal especially at the beginning of your time at a club. But after a while you know everything about the league and the players you need."

[SB]

A great signing IMO

Well spotted Rafa

[rage]

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admits he had been following Martin Skrtel for some years before moving for him in January.

He told liverpoolfc.tv: "I will repeat again, we knew the player when he was 18. The scouts knew about him. Some people went to see Everton play Zenit and after they were talking about this player with ability, but we already had three or four videos. We were looking at three or four centre-backs but I liked him. We sent our people there because we knew he was the player for us. It is difficult to settle down here but Martin has been really good."

Benitez added: "Yes, we work really hard. You can make mistakes, that's normal especially at the beginning of your time at a club. But after a while you know everything about the league and the players you need."

thats all the rcdnw brigade told.....by rafa

[carlton]

thats all the rcdnw brigade told.....by rafa

???????

what the hell does that mean? Please try and express yourself in a fashion that we are familiar with-concise english would be a useful start.

[Angry Dan]

I think he means RafaCanDoNoWrong, but I agree I am not sure what his point is

[rage]

???????

what the hell does that mean? Please try and express yourself in a fashion that we are familiar with-concise english would be a useful start.

I think he means RafaCanDoNoWrong, but I agree I am not sure what his point is

a desire for concise english preceded by a '-'.

ok amigo. my point was that the section I highlighted is an admission by rafa that he has got a number of signings wrong and now that he is more familiar with the league he does not plan to make the same mistakes again. this is of relevance to those on here that make it appear, or indeed genuinely believe that every player rafa has signed is a success or rather has merit.

of course rafa conceding this point completely negates the argument presented by some that rafa can do no wrong, after all he has himself admitted that he has made some bad signings.

I always thought my use of English was both concise and clear. Furthermore whilst I appreciate that you may find my position on certain matters difficult to comprehend, I doubt very much that this is a consequence of any grammatical or linguistic shortcomings I may have.

[Angry Dan]

I do not believe that there is one person on the forum (including Fredo), that thinks that every player signed by Rafa has been a success.

I personnaly think he has a more than acceptable ratio of success to duds.

[Pablo]

Whay are you trying to spin this into an argument when there is nothing here to argue about?

He admit's he made mistakes about signing certain players without even being prompted to do so. I think everyone admits that some of his signings haven't turned out as well as others, but that is true of EVERY manager, at least he is man enough to admit it.

What more do you want?

[keniget]

He says that about every signing we make.

[SB]

Whay are you trying to spin this into an argument when there is nothing here to argue about?

He admit's he made mistakes about signing certain players without even being prompted to do so. I think everyone admits that some of his signings haven't turned out as well as others, but that is true of EVERY manager, at least he is man enough to admit it.

What more do you want?

I agree

Considering that a lot of his signings have been fall back options due to a lack of funds, I'd say he's done alright.

Does that make me a member of the RCDNW brigade

[Angry Dan]

Does that make me a member of the RCDNW brigade

I am not sure mate but I am the founder of the N83TALOSB

[SB]

I am not sure mate but I am the founder of the N83TALOSB

Go ahead and enlighten me please Dan.

Nic 83? ??? SB

[Angry Dan]

Nic83TalksALotOf****Brigade

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[SB]

I wasn't far off then.

Back on subject though, I was concerned when Rafa splashed the cash on Skrtel at the time but I do see him and Agger as the long term CM pairing in a year or two with Carra being the utility man.

[carlton]

hmmm jokes aside if rafa first scouted him at 18 and he's what 23 now? does that mean say a youngster like Nemeth is unlikely to see first team action until he reaches a similar age?