MARCH 9
Benitez demands cash for signings

BBC Sport Online

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez says he must be allowed to strengthen his squad following the Champions League defeat by Benfica.

The Spaniard, who is reported to be the subject of interest from Inter Milan and Real Madrid, said: "We need to work harder in terms of looking for players.

"It is important to strengthen... and buy new players.

"We will start working now. The scouting department is working for improving the team."

Benitez only spent £5.8m in the January transfer window, which was the fee for Brondby defender Daniel Agger.

He signed Robbie Fowler on a free transfer from Manchester City and brought Jan Kromkamp in from Villarreal in a swap deal for Josemi.

However, several English newspapers have reported that the former Valencia boss has asked for a summer transfer budget of £30m.

Benitez denied there was any tension between him and the Liverpool board on the eve of the Benfica match.

"I don't have any problems with the board, the chief executive or the chairman," he said.

"If we win this game it could make things easier financially."

A top-quality striker is likely to be Benitez's priority. Liverpool failed to find the net in their last four Champions League matches.

MARCH 6
Benitez will talk to board about future

By Ian Doyle - Daily Post

Rafael Benitez will seek reassurances from the Liverpool board that they will provide the financial backing to help realise his aim of bringing the Premiership title to Anfield.

It emerged over the weekend both Real Madrid and Inter Milan have set their sights on attempting to lure the sought-after Spaniard away from the European Champions.

Benitez has made no secret of his desire to manage at the Bernabeu at some point in his managerial career, while Inter are prepared to double his salary as they strive to end their own championship drought having not won Serie A since 1989.

Benitez isn't interested in improving his own contract and insists he is happy at Anfield. Instead, he wants his own commitment to Liverpool to be matched by that of the club's board.

Both Real and Inter would hand Benitez a huge transfer kitty and, while he doesn't expect Liverpool to bankroll his spending plans to such a degree, it is believed the Spaniard is seeking at least £25million to spend this summer.

Having ended a 21-year wait for European Cup success, Benitez stated at last month's AGM that his target now is for Liverpool to win the championship for the first time since 1990.

Benitez has splashed out almost £25m since the victory in Istanbul - recouping £6.5m through the sale of Milan Baros - and believes only spending the same again this summer can close the gap to Chelsea.

With question marks still hanging over the development of a new Anfield and having thus far failed to attract substantial outside investment, Liverpool are reticent to gamble on the transfer market with so many off-field matters yet undecided.

However, it appears they risk losing their manager should they not have improved financial backing in place by the end of the season.

FEBRUARY 28
Reds must buy a world class striker

By Ian Rush - Liverpool Echo

It's been obvious from the early stages of the season where Liverpool must improve to get to the next level. When you've only conceded 17 Premiership goals, you would expect your goal difference to be higher than plus 16.

To put it into some kind of perspective, Liverpool have conceded just one goal more than Chelsea this season, but scored 21 less.

I'm certain Rafa Benitez's top priority before next season will be to bring in a striker capable of scoring 20 goals a season. When he's done this, the Reds will be in a much stronger position to challenge Chelsea.

We already know Benitez recognises this because he decided to bring in Robbie Fowler in January, who we're all hoping will rediscover his lethal finishing touch.

I think Robbie has played well since he returned, but so far he's done his best work 20 yards from where he's most dangerous.

I can hardly remember anything falling to him in the penalty box, so it's been understandably frustrating trying to get that elusive goal.

My feeling is the return leg with Benfica next week will suit Robbie perfectly. A European night at Anfield is different to normal fixtures.

The crowd naturally lift the tempo, and when the onus is on Liverpool to keep hunting for goals, it's natural more balls are pumped into the box.

I'm sure Robbie will be licking his lips, anticipating lots of chances against the Portuguese.

I can understand the growing concern heading into that fixture since Liverpool are struggling to score more than one a game.

That's the worry heading into a tie where they must score at least two to win. Benfica didn't particularly frighten Liverpool, but it only takes one moment of quality or a set-piece to make life extremely difficult for Benitez's side.

Naturally the strikers are getting most criticism for the goal return, although I think much of it is unfair.

You can only play to your strengths, and it's clear neither Fernando Morientes, nor Peter Crouch, are prolific goalscorers.

They possess other qualities which can bring something to the team, so those who point the finger at their scoring record are missing the point. You can't make a player something he isn't, no matter how good a coach you are.

I also feel Liverpool's improved defence has as much to do with the workrate of the strikers as much as midfielders and defenders.

There's no side better than Liverpool at defending from the front.

What Benitez lacks with his forward options is variety.

He needs a world class striker before the start of next season. Unfortunately, they're not always easy to find, particularly at the right price.

The only one I can think of for around, say, £12m, is Michael Owen. Given his price and the fact it wouldn't be a gamble to bring him back, I'd be amazed if he isn't on the shortlist this summer.

FEBRUARY 14
Reds swoop for Paletta

Sporting Life

The £2million capture of Argentinian youngster Gabriel Paletta brings into sharp focus the astonishing pace of Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez's youthful restructuring of Anfield.

Not only has he spent over £50million replenishing the senior squad since he arrived at the club in June 2004, but a whole new generation of younger talent - drawn from across the globe - has also arrived at the club.

The battle between Europe's top clubs for the best young talent has never been more fierce; with the likes of John Obi Mikel and Freddy Adu being chased relentlessly by top clubs.

Arsenal bagged 16-year-old Theo Walcott from Southampton in a deal which could eventually worth £12million from under the noses of Liverpool and Chelsea.

But Benitez has not been slow in this market. The arrival of Paletta - he flew into Liverpool on Monday for a medical and is expected to attend tonight's home game with Arsenal - is one of more than a dozen under-21 players that Benitez has signed since last summer.

In the past eight months alone, Liverpool have signed youngsters from Denmark, Austria, France, Spain, Ghana, Wales and now Argentina.

And when winger Mark Gonzalez finally arrives in the summer when he qualifies for a Spanish passport - he is currently on loan at Real Sociedad because of work permit problems - Liverpool will have their first Chilean on the books.

However, before the uproar begins about overlooking English talent, Benitez has also signed three talented homegrown youngsters in David Martin, the England under-20 goalkeeper, 17-year-old winger Paul Anderson from Hull and former Lincoln defender Jack Hobbs as well as England Under-21 stopper Scott Carson.

Wales Under-21 striker Ramon Calliste, rejected by Manchester United, signed last summer.

Two other 21-year-old recent signings, Daniel Agger and Mohamed Sissoko, have gone straight into the first-team squad and cost Benitez over £11million. They both fit into the category that Benitez wants of young talent who will become Liverpool's next generation of stars.

There has been a determined policy at Anfield to acquire such players, and quickly, despite fierce competition from richer clubs.

They form an elite squad of youngsters who train with the seniors at Melwood away from the academy in Kirkby.

Benitez targeted an obvious lack of talent coming through from the youth ranks when he took over the club, and has been determined ever since to solve the problem.

Spanish defender Antonio Barragan signed from Seville, another defender in 17-year-old Miki Roque came from Spanish second division side Lleida and was quickly followed by Godwin Antwi, a defender from Real Zaragoza who was born in Ghana. Midfielder Besian Idrizaj joined the club from Linzer ASK.

Paletta will be one of the most high-profile signings of this Anfield revolution having starred in the Argentina team that won the World Under-20 Championship, but he is unlikely to be the last.

FEBRUARY 9
Paletta set for Liverpool talks

BBC Sport Online

Argentine club Banfield say defender Gabriel Paletta will travel to England at the weekend to open talks about a summer move to Liverpool.

Paletta, 20, helped Argentina win the Under-20 World Cup in 2005.

"Paletta will travel to England to discuss terms with Liverpool club executives," it said on their website.

"He will travel on Sunday after the game against River Plate. The English club want him to undergo a medical before discussing personal terms."

Paletta is hoping to get the chance to prove himself in the Premiership.

He said: "It would be a great opportunity. It would be a good move for the club as well as for me."

Banfield president Carlos Portell added in Argentina newspaper Ole: "The discussions are very advanced.

"The only remaining things to be sorted are the minor details but I don't think they will be a problem.

"God willing, we will have everything sorted out before the end of the weekend." Ole reports the transfer fee to be in the region of £2m.

JANUARY 30
Rafa wants fight for places

By Lewis Rutledge - Sky Sports

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has insisted that Robbie Fowler's return to Anfield will help everybody by providing fierce competition for places.

The 30-year-old joined The Reds in a shock transfer last week, and the fans' favourite will be pressing hard for a regular place in the side.

With Djibril Cisse, Fernando Morientes and Peter Crouch all playing their part in Liverpool's successful season, and a wealth of talent in midfield and defence, nobody is assured of starting every game.

Benitez has challenged the players to show their quality, and is even considering employing people out of their usual positions to utilise all of his best players.

Cisse played on the right wing against Portsmouth on Sunday, and Benitez admitted that this is an option he is thinking of pursuing long-term.

"Cisse can play as a right winger if necessary. We're trying to use our players in the best position for the team," he told Sky Sports.

"If we can find different positions for our strikers then we have more competition for places and that will be better for the team."

Benitez also revealed that he was looking forward to unleashing Fowler on Premiership defences, although he will be careful not to rush him into action too early.

"Robbie is a great finisher and provides us with another alternative up front," he enthused.

"I don't know if he will score one, two or 15 goals, but he is experienced and will be an important player for us.

"We know that he has fitness problems but he is working hard with the physio to improve his physical condition."

JANUARY 27
Fowler heads back to Liverpool

By Graeme Bailey - Sky Sports

Manchester City's Robbie Fowler has sensationally re-signed for Liverpool.

Skysports.com reported earlier on Friday that Fowler was being strongly linked with a return to Anfield - and now the move has been completed.

Fowler has joined The Reds until the end of the season, with his City contract due to expire in the summer.

The 30-year-old bagged over 170 goals in his nine-year spell from 1992 to 2001 - and he will now get the chance to add to that tally.

The last goals Fowler scored for Liverpool, was a hat-trick against Leicester in October 2001 - before he signed for Leeds.

Rafa Benitez has decided the time is right to bring Fowler in, and the Spanish tactician will hope that his goal scoring expertise can rub off on the likes of Peter Crouch and Djibril Cisse - who have at times struggled to find the net on a regular basis during their time with the club.

JANUARY 11
Reds agree deal for Agger

By Kent Hedlundh - Sky Sports

Liverpool have agreed a deal with Brondby for Daniel Agger, with the defender on Merseyside to undergo a medical.

The European champions have held a long-term interest in the Denmark international as Rafa Benitez looks to add a centre half to his squad.

Benitez has now advanced that admiration after The Reds agreed a deal in principle with Agger's club Brondby.

It is rumoured that Liverpool will stump up £5.8 million for the defender, who played against England in a friendly at the start of the season.

The finishing touches are being put to the transfer and Benitez outlined how long he has been tracking the 21-year-old.

"Daniel is a player we have been following for a long time," Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.

"We first spoke to Brondby about the player when we were in Monaco playing the Super Cup final. At that time, their chairman said he wasn't for sale.

"We've been told he's one of the best centre halves in Denmark for 20 years. A lot of scouts have spoken highly of him and there has been lots of interest from other clubs.

"People will remember he played particularly well in an international against England earlier this season. We'd already watched and asked about the player before then.

"That match surprised a lot of people, but it confirmed to us he could play at a particularly high level, which is why we've continued to follow him."

Agger has missed Brondby's training camp in Spain to complete his switch to Anfield, with Benitez enthusing over his impending recruit.

"He will be an option for the first team within a short space of time," added Benitez. "First he will need to improve his physical condition, but then he will put both Sami and Carra under pressure for their place. This is an area where we've had no competition until now.

"He can't play in the Champions League, but when you sign a player who's only 21-years-old, he is for the future of the club, not for a competition in which we have a maximum of seven games left."

Liverpool's deal for Agger is likely to disappoint another Premiership club - believed to be Tottenham - who were also chasing the stopper.

Brondby director Per Bjerregaard told TV2: "It is correct that at least two Premier League clubs are interested in Agger.

"But who it is, I don't want to reveal."

JANUARY 10
Rafa reveals Depor interest

By Peter ORourke - Sky Sports

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has confirmed his interest in Deportivo La Coruna duo Fabricio Coloccini and Cesar.

Benitez is keen to bolster his squad during this month's transfer window and has not hidden his desire to bring in a new central defender.

A number of players have been linked with Liverpool including Brondby's Daniel Agger and Benitez has now revealed Coloccini and Cesar are on his list of targets.

Benitez is looking to add options to his defence and provide cover for Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia and is considering moves for Coloccini and Cesar.

"We need to fortify the centre of the defence and we are considering four or five options," Benitez told La voz de Galicia.

"We had ideas in the summer and we are thinking now in the same way.

"We have targeted Coloccini and Cesar of Deportivo La Coruna and we are just about to obtain if they want to sell."

Coloccini is thought to be keen on a move away from Deportivo having fallen out with coach Joaquin Caparros.

Liverpool could also face competition for Cesar with Bolton believed to be keen on signing the defender.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have released Costan Rican midfielder Cristian Bolanos after a short trial spell at the club.

JANUARY 5
Benitez planning more signings

Kop Talk

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez says he's still in the market for new players after completing the signing of Jan Kromkamp from Villarreal today.

Daniel Agger is expected to sign over the next few days but there are suggestions that Simao Sabrosa's proposed move could be off due to Benfica trying it on with the transfer fee.

Speaking this afternoon, Rafa said: "We don't need a lot of players but we are looking at who is available and who would be right for us.

"There is always lots of speculation at this time of year. If you named all the players we have been linked with then there would be enough for three or four teams.

"We want a centre back and we have three or four different options. We are checking them all out and looking to decide who we want to bring in.

"We are looking in other areas as well. At the start of the season I said we needed a new right midfielder and, again, we have options in that area. Maybe we don't need one at all now with Stevie playing in that position, and with Pongolle and Luis also able to play there. We'll have to decide."

JANUARY 5
Benitez cool on Simao move

By Chris Bascombe - Liverpool Echo

Liverpool have cooled their interest in Benfica winger Simao Sabrosa - as Daniel Agger took a step closer to leaving Brondby today.

Rafa Benitez is not planning a fresh approach for Portuguese international Simao, despite making a £10m bid for the right winger last summer.

Benfica's signing of Laurent Robert has increased speculation Simao will leave the Stadium of Light, and Liverpool are his first choice.

But despite claims Liverpool are back in the bidding, there's no prospect of Benitez reigniting his efforts at this stage, unless Benfica substantially reduce their asking price for the 26-year-old.

Benitez's transfer priorities have altered since August and he's not prepared to allocate a large chunk of his funds on the player.

The Spanish boss is also reluctant to engage in long negotiations to conclude a deal which wasted precious time last summer and ultimately ended in disappointment.

He feels other avenues will prove more fruitful.

While the pursuit of a right winger remains on hold, Danish centre-half Agger has been pulled out of a weekend indoor tournament in Brondby as his club gave the first indication they expect a deal with Liverpool to be concluded imminently.

Both Agger and his chief executive have now returned from holiday, and the Reds will step up negotiations to sign the 21-year-old today.

Benitez is hoping for a swift conclusion over the next 48 hours.

JANUARY 5
Benitez looks to strengthen

Sporting Life

Liverpool's fine recent run of form has not halted manager Rafael Benitez's restructuring at Anfield after two players on Wednesday joined the Reds and two more were strongly linked with a move to Merseyside.

Benitez has already snapped up Dutchman Jan Kromkamp and Paul Anderson and is ready to follow up that double swoop with the capture of £5.5million Brondby centre-back Daniel Agger by the weekend.

Winger Simao Sabrosa, another of Benitez's long-term targets, could also be on his way out of Benfica after the Portuguese club on Wednesday took Laurent Robert from Newcastle.

Kromkamp passed his medical and completed the final details of his swap deal with Josemi, who moves in the opposite direction to Villarreal in his native Spain.

The Dutch international could even make his debut at Luton on Saturday after rules governing the eligibility of new signings playing in the FA Cup were brought into line with the Premiership.

The 24-year-old right-back quit Villarreal having only joined them from Dutch club Alkmaar in the summer after failing to settle in Spain.

Benitez revealed "he has had trouble learning the language".

The 17-year-old Anderson's move was agreed several weeks ago but could only be confirmed once the transfer window reopened.

His switch to Anfield from Hull saw England Under-21 midfielder John Welsh make his loan a permanent deal with the Tigers.

Anderson, a winger, will join Benitez's new-look elite reserve squad which trains at Melwood alongside the senior players.

Mark Gonzalez, meanwhile, is almost certain to be loaned out to a Spanish club until the end of the season, when Liverpool will again apply for a work permit for the youngster.
 

Thor Zakariassen ©