Jul 11 2009 by Tony Barrett, Daily Post
RAFAEL BENITEZ believes attack will be the best form of defence for Liverpool as they bid to turn Anfield into a fortress in the coming season.
Seven home draws were the main reason why the Reds were unable to wrestle the league title from Manchester United’s grasp in the last campaign and Benitez is now looking to create an increased spirit of adventure in his side this time around.
The Reds boss believes new signing Glen Johnson will prove pivotal to his new philosophy with his ability to raid forward from a full back position.
And he also reckons the ball carrying ability of Daniel Agger will help his team turn defence into attack, particularly in fixtures when Liverpool’s opponents are employing negative tactics.
“We want to improve our power in attack, this is our idea,” said Benitez.
“There have been games in the past we have played with three centre backs and two offensive full backs, it depends on the game.
“But normally we play with a line of four in defence because this suits the way we play on most occasions.
“We were talking last season about the draws we had at home and when teams play really deep against you, you need quality in the full back and central defensive positions.
“When we talk about Daniel Agger scoring goals and using the ball well it is because we know that these qualities are necessary if you want to turn the draws into wins.”
Liverpool’s preparations for the forthcoming season will step up tomorrow when the first team squad travels to Switzerland for training.
They will play their first pre-season friendly against St Gallen on Wednesday.
Meanwhile new boy Johnson’s versatility could be in for an early test.
With Brazilian full-back Fabio Aurelio out for a couple of months after knee surgery, Benitez temporarily lacks an experienced left-back.
But in only his second training session, right-back Johnson was tried out on the left.
He said: “There is a lot of versatility to my game, I can play in different positions.
“At the end of last season I was even playing off the front two at Portsmouth as an attacker. That may have been a one-off, but I did enjoy it all the same.
“I can play on the right of midfield, and I feel comfortable there.
“In my younger days I was a striker and at West Ham I played a lot in central defence.”
RAFAEL BENITEZ believes attack will be the best form of defence for Liverpool as they bid to turn Anfield into a fortress in the coming season.
Seven home draws were the main reason why the Reds were unable to wrestle the league title from Manchester United’s grasp in the last campaign and Benitez is now looking to create an increased spirit of adventure in his side this time around.
The Reds boss believes new signing Glen Johnson will prove pivotal to his new philosophy with his ability to raid forward from a full back position.
And he also reckons the ball carrying ability of Daniel Agger will help his team turn defence into attack, particularly in fixtures when Liverpool’s opponents are employing negative tactics.
“We want to improve our power in attack, this is our idea,” said Benitez.
“There have been games in the past we have played with three centre backs and two offensive full backs, it depends on the game.
“But normally we play with a line of four in defence because this suits the way we play on most occasions.
“We were talking last season about the draws we had at home and when teams play really deep against you, you need quality in the full back and central defensive positions.
“When we talk about Daniel Agger scoring goals and using the ball well it is because we know that these qualities are necessary if you want to turn the draws into wins.”
Liverpool’s preparations for the forthcoming season will step up tomorrow when the first team squad travels to Switzerland for training.
They will play their first pre-season friendly against St Gallen on Wednesday.
Meanwhile new boy Johnson’s versatility could be in for an early test.
With Brazilian full-back Fabio Aurelio out for a couple of months after knee surgery, Benitez temporarily lacks an experienced left-back.
But in only his second training session, right-back Johnson was tried out on the left.
He said: “There is a lot of versatility to my game, I can play in different positions.
“At the end of last season I was even playing off the front two at Portsmouth as an attacker. That may have been a one-off, but I did enjoy it all the same.
“I can play on the right of midfield, and I feel comfortable there.
“In my younger days I was a striker and at West Ham I played a lot in central defence.”
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