Liverpool FC Forum

by **Redrider** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:12 pm

''I talked with the board today," Benítez said. "When you talk with them, it's a private conversation. We talked about football, not financials. I talked to them about the games and the players in our squad. I said I will try to look for the best from each one of our players at the moment and they (the board) said they will do what they can."

Benítez hopes for enough money to sign a goalkeeper and a defender, as well as his top priority, which is a centre forward. With Fernando Morientes, of Real Madrid, likely to join AS Monaco, it seems increasingly feasible that Liverpool could try to sign Anelka from Manchester City. Liverpool have been informed that Anelka can be bought for £8 million, but if funds are scarce, they will explore other options, such as Julio Ricardo Cruz, of Inter Milan, David Villa, of Real Zaragoza, and possibly Diego Tristán, of Deportivo La Coru-a.''

No mention of 'Rob Earnshaw', but Rafa seems to be setting out his battle plans.
Who is the defender and who is the goalkeeper ?

by **FrankM** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:16 pm

Shay Given wants out of Newcastle. But is a goalkeeper a priority?

by **Ola Mr Benitez** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:32 pm

I think a top keeper is deffo a priorirty.. but after we have bought a world class forward

by **Redtribe** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:37 pm

Disagree about the keeper!
Kirkland is a very good talent!
May be a bit patchy at the moment but its far from bad!
Striker and CD would be my priorites but i'm not Rafa so what does it matter

by **Redrider** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:42 pm

The difference between a good keeper and a great keeper can be as much as 12 points in season.
The quality of the keeper is of great importance, for a single player this is the position with most impact.

by **Mikz** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 3:53 pm

I dont think we need a goalkeeper at all.Chris Kirkland is just going through a bad patch. He will be ok. Does anyone remember the Bruce Grobbelaar bad patch,and he was playing in front of a better defence too.

by **stmichael** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 3:54 pm

Mikz wrote:Does anyone remember the Bruce Grobbelaar bald patch

yeah it was on his head

by **maximus** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 3:56 pm

Yeah, but he was paid handsomely for that bad patch?

by **Ola Mr Benitez** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 4:05 pm

I have always been a Kirkland fan, but his recent form is terrible. Simple saves that should have been made would see us a number of places further up the table.

by **antz** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 4:11 pm

I think josemi and kirkland have cost at least 9 points this season

by **ICE-MAN** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 4:17 pm

i agree that kirky and josemi have let us down for a fair few points this season, but i still think kirkland is a good keeper he just needs a bit more experience cos when u think about it, this is his first proper season in the premiership and the champions league, he may have had a handful of games during other seasons but the pressure is on him and he just needs to get a bit seasoned!
josemi on the other hand has a desperate lack of pace and his positional sense is terrible, he also gets booked too often, thats not showing commitment its being stupid!

first and foremost we need a striker, bring on anelka!
then a centre half for the aging hypia!

then wel take it from there :cool:

by **Ola Mr Benitez** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 4:21 pm

Hypia still has a couple of seasons left. He has been one of our best players this season. We have a replacement lining up waiting for the time when Sami is closer to retirement in Zak Whitbread.

I agree Anelka woiuld be a great signing (especially for 8million as recently quoted), I think we need to keep our eye on Kirkland as he could become a great keeper, but only time will tell. However if we could get Cudicini I think I would choose him as our No1

by **Paul C** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 4:34 pm

I like the way Rafa keeps his cards close to his chest when he needs to, thats the way it used to be in the good old days at Anfield and thats why I'm sure he will bring the good times back :cool:

by **mrcool2003** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 7:18 pm

anelka is overrated wouldnt want him

by **tel** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 5:08 am

Redrider wrote:The difference between a good keeper and a great keeper can be as much as 12 points in season.
The quality of the keeper is of great importance, for a single player this is the position with most impact.

Dont shoot me for this, but Schmeichel was worth much more than 12 points a season to the manc scum when they were at their peak.

If Chelsea pips Aresenal for the title this year, it will be down to Cech being a better keeper than Lehman.

Liverpool FC Forum

Rafa spells it out - New players required

Who is online