Daniel Agger key to Liverpool title push
Jul 3 2008 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
DANIEL AGGER is back in pre-season training at Melwood, with boss Rafa Benitez admitting his absence cost the Reds a shot at the Premier League title last season.
The Danish defender was at the heart of a flying start which saw the Reds ship just two goals in their opening seven matches, but then a broken foot ended his season in September.
Benitez admitted: “I think it cost us early in the season. We conceded goals at the end of games which finished as draws because Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher were playing too many games in a row.
“We were using Jack Hobbs in some games and Alvaro Arbeloa as a centre-back and clearly we missed Daniel Agger.
“He is a centre-back but good on the ball and a threat for the other team too.
“We missed Agger.”
Benitez tried to sign Gabriel Heinze from Manchester United as cover, but was barred by Alex Ferguson, and had to wait until the January transfer window to bring in Martin Skrtel from Zenit St Petersburg. The Slovak made an impressive start to his Anfield career and will ensure that competition is fierce for central defensive places at Anfield this season.
Benitez added: “We knew this player (Skrtel) when he was 18. It was funny because some people were going to see the Bitters against Zenit and were saying this player really has ability. But we already had four or five videos of him which we liked. We had already sent our people over there and we knew he was the player for us.
“It can be difficult to settle down in this country but Martin has been really good.
“We know the players we want whenever the window opens and we try to sign the players we want at the right price.”
This transfer window, however, Benitez has been frustrated by a lack of progress on several fronts.
Aston Villa are refusing to budge on their £18m valuation of Gareth Barry, Portsmouth have not increased their original offer for Peter Crouch while Xabi Alonso admits he “has no idea what the future holds.”
The Spanish European Championship-winning midfielder has been given a three-week break before resuming training and despite firm interest from Juventus in his services, admitted: “I have no idea what the future holds.
“We all need time to sit back and think about what we (Spain) achieved and to take it all in.
“I will be able to think about all that has gone on and what is going to happen regarding my future later on. We will see what happens when I get back.”
Defender Emiliano Insua, meanwhile, has been rewarded for his impressive displays in the reserves last season with a three year contract extension.
The 19-year-old will be hoping to challenge for a first team place this season after playing in the final three games of last season.
Paul Anderson has also signed a new contract which extends his deal at the club until 2011.
The 19-year-old winger, signed from Hull in 2006, has yet to make a first-team appearance and spent last season on loan at Swansea as they were promoted from Coca-Cola League One.
Liverpool have agreed to loan Anderson to Nottingham Forest for their forthcoming first campaign back in the Championship.
Jul 3 2008 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
DANIEL AGGER is back in pre-season training at Melwood, with boss Rafa Benitez admitting his absence cost the Reds a shot at the Premier League title last season.
The Danish defender was at the heart of a flying start which saw the Reds ship just two goals in their opening seven matches, but then a broken foot ended his season in September.
Benitez admitted: “I think it cost us early in the season. We conceded goals at the end of games which finished as draws because Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher were playing too many games in a row.
“We were using Jack Hobbs in some games and Alvaro Arbeloa as a centre-back and clearly we missed Daniel Agger.
“He is a centre-back but good on the ball and a threat for the other team too.
“We missed Agger.”
Benitez tried to sign Gabriel Heinze from Manchester United as cover, but was barred by Alex Ferguson, and had to wait until the January transfer window to bring in Martin Skrtel from Zenit St Petersburg. The Slovak made an impressive start to his Anfield career and will ensure that competition is fierce for central defensive places at Anfield this season.
Benitez added: “We knew this player (Skrtel) when he was 18. It was funny because some people were going to see the Bitters against Zenit and were saying this player really has ability. But we already had four or five videos of him which we liked. We had already sent our people over there and we knew he was the player for us.
“It can be difficult to settle down in this country but Martin has been really good.
“We know the players we want whenever the window opens and we try to sign the players we want at the right price.”
This transfer window, however, Benitez has been frustrated by a lack of progress on several fronts.
Aston Villa are refusing to budge on their £18m valuation of Gareth Barry, Portsmouth have not increased their original offer for Peter Crouch while Xabi Alonso admits he “has no idea what the future holds.”
The Spanish European Championship-winning midfielder has been given a three-week break before resuming training and despite firm interest from Juventus in his services, admitted: “I have no idea what the future holds.
“We all need time to sit back and think about what we (Spain) achieved and to take it all in.
“I will be able to think about all that has gone on and what is going to happen regarding my future later on. We will see what happens when I get back.”
Defender Emiliano Insua, meanwhile, has been rewarded for his impressive displays in the reserves last season with a three year contract extension.
The 19-year-old will be hoping to challenge for a first team place this season after playing in the final three games of last season.
Paul Anderson has also signed a new contract which extends his deal at the club until 2011.
The 19-year-old winger, signed from Hull in 2006, has yet to make a first-team appearance and spent last season on loan at Swansea as they were promoted from Coca-Cola League One.
Liverpool have agreed to loan Anderson to Nottingham Forest for their forthcoming first campaign back in the Championship.
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