Rafa on Local lads (and a bit on investment)

[Shanks65]

Rafa keen on local talent
Monday Dec 11 2006 11:43

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez wants his side to include as many homegrown players as possible in the future, despite the prospect of a massive influx of new money.

The Reds side that beat Fulham 4-0 on Saturday included Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, while Robbie Fowler came on as a substitute.

Benitez is keen to maintain Liverpool's tradition of including several local players in the squad even if prospective new owners, Dubai International Capital, complete their takeover.

"It's important for all clubs to invest in youngsters because they can end up being the spine of the team," he said.

"If you want to win - and that's the tradition of the club - then you have to keep bringing the young players through and players who can help take you to another level.

"If we have all our players fit, we've got enough for there to be good competition for places, and if we have more coming in in January it will be even better for us.

"It's always difficult to sign a lot of players in January, but it's clear that in the summer, if you've more money to spend, all the players must be ready and give their best because there will be a lot of competition for places.

"I don't think it's different for the players just because we might have more money, but they know another player might come in who plays in their position."

https://www.football.co.uk

[Mumsafan]

Hopefully the last line might make a few buck their ideas up.

[AFII]

If the takeover happens then the players know that Rafa will have the money to replace them.

Some of them will be off in the summer so they know that if they want to stay then they will have to perform week in week out.

[DeeGame]

Pennant will be off in the summer so they know that if they want to stay then they will have to perform week in week out.

[captainfog]

Rafa keen on local talent
Monday Dec 11 2006 11:43

"I don't think it's different for the players just because we might have more money, but they know another player might come in who plays in their position."

www.football.co.uk

That's got to be a shot across the broad side for quite a few of the players:

Pennant
Speedy
Aurelio
Warnock
Bellend

The list could go on.

I think that the looming investment will have a positive impact on the above players - now they know we've got money to spend they must be thinking that they are playing for their Liverpool careers.

I would hope that this is especially motivating for the the liverpool fans amongst that list.

[machiavelli]

i think its a shot across the broad side at every player at liverpool. but of the ones youve just mentioned, maybe aurelio and speedy may get a extra year repreve as they are both south americans who not only are getting use to the english way of football, but the english way of life. also both have had knocks and injurys which could cause problems of them adjusting.

But i agree before this take over talk appear i felt there was two many players who just turned up and went through the montions as they knew they will be in the team next week

[bazza76]

I dont think Pennant will be gone next summer.

[Rich]

This investment talk should be putting rockets up virtually every player, there aren't too many in our squad that are untouchable in my opinion.

[red g]

This investment talk should be putting rockets up virtually every player, there aren't too many in our squad that are untouchable in my opinion.

imo NOBODY is untouchable in Rafa's eyes

[DeeGame]

I dont think Pennant will be gone next summer.

[Jazzmaster]

Nor will Bellamy be gone either.

[AFII]

I think very few players is 100% safe. Gerrard, Alonso, Reina, Carra, Agger, Kuyt and Sissoko are probably the only ones that are 100% safe from being sold.

The other ones will have to show that they want to continue playing for the club week in week out.

[captainfog]

I think very few players is 100% safe. Gerrard, Alonso, Reina, Carra, Agger, Kuyt and Sissoko are probably the only ones that are 100% safe from being sold.

The other ones will have to show that they want to continue playing for the club week in week out.

I think you should probably add Speedy to that list. No matter what I think Rafa will give him another season to prove himself, apart from that totally agree - everyone else should be looking over their shoulders

[Resu]

Only Warnock is has more than a few months at the club, the rest will be given time settle, IMO.
Speedy has done OK so far, and I think he`ll stay.
Bellamy will stay unless we get a similar, and better, player in.
Aurelio could end up being sold if Rafa sees him only as a LB, if not I think he`ll stay.

Pennant and Warnock has to improve. While Pennant hasn`t be as bad as some on here say he isn`t shown that he`s good enough to warrent a starting play. Espesially if we`re going for the title.
I doubt that Warnock is good enough, but he`ll maybe be allowed to stay as he always gives 100%, isn`t moaning about lack of opportunities. I have a feeling that him being local also helps.

[captainfog]

Bellamy will stay unless we get a similar, and better, player in.
.

That's the whole point though isn't it? With the investment Rafa would be able to bring in those replacements, wherease before he would not have been able to afford to do so