AGGER: WHY I COMMITTED FUTURE
Daniel Agger has explained why he was happy to agree a new
Liverpool contract - even without guarantees from Rafa Benitez
about first-team football.
The Dane accepted a new five-year deal last month despite having to
settle for 26 senior appearances in 2008-09.
And Agger has revealed how Benitez made no promises about when he
would play.
Even so, the 24-year-old was delighted at the opportunity to commit
his prime years to Liverpool.
"First of all, I believe this team, with the players we have, will
be able to challenge for many honours and trophies over the next
few years," Agger explained to LFC Magazine.
"Secondly, I think I have a chance to play in this team, otherwise
I would not be staying at the club.
"Thirdly, I really like this city, and I like the people who live
here. It's not the same as my home town, Copenhagen, but I actually
really like where I live. That's important.
"I believe if you have a happy, settled and comfortable life
outside the pitch then you're going to be a much better player on
it."
Agger added: "Of course, if you have a manager who tells you that
he is confident in your ability and he believes in you and what you
can bring to the team, then that is also important. The manager has
done this by coming to me and offering me the contract.
"In football you can't get any promises from the manager about when
you are going to play, and especially not at a club like Liverpool
where we have so many talented players all competing for
places.
"I believe I am good enough to play regularly in this team and
that's what I want to do."
Agger arrived at Anfield in January 2006, just a few months before
the FA Cup triumph over West Ham.
However, the Dane played no part in the Cup run and is still
waiting for what he would regard as his 'first' medal with
Liverpool.
It's a situation Agger is desperate to address.
"Everybody wants medals, they want trophies and they want success,"
he said. "That is what a club like Liverpool should be all
about.
"I won both the league and cup in my first season at Brondby. I
haven't won anything at Liverpool so far and that is something I
really want to change.
"We won the FA Cup in my first season at the club but I didn't play
a game in the competition that season. So although I have a medal
for that victory I don't count it as my having won it."
Having helped the Reds to within an inch of the Barclays Premier
League title, Agger is confident a piece of silverware is on the
horizon in 2009-10.
"I think you can see on the pitch this season, and especially in
the last few games, what playing for this club means for the team,"
he said.
"We have showed that we have a winning character now throughout the
team. We have developed this season a mentality which says that you
can't beat us.
"Even when we are in a difficult position we have a belief in our
ability to change the result."