by Ciggy » Tue Nov 02, 2004 4:37 pm
Rafa's plea to FA over transfer window Nov 2 2004
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
RAFA BENITEZ today called on the FA to change the rules regarding mid-season transfers when a club is deprived of players due to long-term injury.
In Spain, Liverpool would be allowed into the market to immediately replace broken leg victim Djibril Cisse.
The loophole in La Liga is applied when a player is sidelined with injury for six months or over.
Under English rules Benitez must wait until January to fill the void left by Cisse's horrific injury.
But he confirmed today he already had plans in motion to strengthen his forward line, regardless of the devastating blow to the record signing.
As he prepared to jet out to Spain with the Reds for the Champions League game against Deportivo La Coruna tomorrow, Benitez said: "In Spain, when you have someone who is injured for more than six months, you can sign another player, even though the transfer window is closed.
"Here in England, that's not possible. I think it's a special situation and it would be something for people to consider.
"At this moment, I can't do anything to replace Djibril.
"We can do nothing but watch the transfer market. We were doing this before Djibril was injured and now it's the same.
"We have to see if we can find the right player, and then if we do we will say something."
Fernando Morientes is certainly top of the wanted list, with Benitez having already tried to sign him last summer.
But unless Liverpool can organise a loan deal, it remains unclear where the club would find the funds to finance a January bid.
There is no-one anywhere in the world at any stage who is any bigger or any better than this football club.
Kenny Dalglish 1/2/2011
REST IN PEACE PHIL, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.