Money to burn: But who should Benitez spend £12m on?
Sportsmail suggests...
Rafa Benitez has been handed £12m to make improvements
to his squad when the January transfer-window opens, a figure that
falls well short of what is needed if Liverpool are
to resurrect a faltering season.
The club's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have
made the money available after the Reds suffered three defeats in
their opening eight games.
However, Benitez will know that £12m is a mere drop in the ocean
when it comes to the fees that clubs can demand for the top players
he needs - with the money he has been offered he could afford to
buy half a Joleon Lescott!
Still, the Spaniard can start splashing the cash in 85 days, so
Sportsmail gives the Reds boss
some ideas for his January shopping-list.
We're not entirely sure what is happening with Jamie Carragher,
is he shrinking or are strikers getting bigger? Either way, the
ease with which Drogba rolled the former England defender was
frankly worrying.
So, Rafa, if you want cover at the back, here's what £12m will
buy you:
The Guadeloupe-born centre-back has only recently joined French
champions Bordeaux so it may prove troublesome persuading him and
the club to part company.
The Norwegian captain has been the subject of much speculation
and he has yet to sign a new deal at the Cottage. Is he waiting for
the call from Rafa.
Has garnered much interest with some sterling performances this
year and he may have to leave Bolton to
fulfill his World Cup 2010 ambitions with England.
Head boys: Matthew Upson could seek a January move
to keep his World Cup dream alive while Carles Puyol (L) could be
sold ahead of the end of his contract
With so much uncertainty surrounding the East London club, Upson
could easily be tempted with the promise of Champions League
football.
His contract is up next summer and Barca are hoping to cash-in
before he leaves on a free. His Champions League experience could
prove vital.
Despite Glen Johnson's attempts to convince everyone he is a
right midfielder, he was bought to play at full-back and Steven
Gerrard looks stranded without the service he had come to take for
granted from Xabi Alonso.
So if it the midfield that needs some investment, how about one
of these:
CSKA Moscow's star of the future, 19-year-old Dzagoev is a pacy
attacking-midfielder who would link up very well with Fernando
Torres.
If Rafa wants his Liverpool midfield pulling together then
Vieira is an ideal candidate, however, his propensity for injury is
worrying.
Had a great time terrorising the Arsenal defence
in the Champions League recently and has attracted Real Madrid.
Could prove too expensive, however.
Centre of attention: Patrick Vieira could
compensate for the loss of Xabi Alonso
Currently attracting attention from Spurs
(again) but if it's creativity in midfield that Rafa craves, the
former Portsmouth danger man could deliver.
Would this be a risk or could Rafa fill the much-maligned
Bentley with enough confidence to produce more than just occasional
moments of brilliance?
No man is an island, or so the saying goes, but Fernando Torres
has looked cut adrift from the rest of his team-mates on many
occasions this season. Torres is good Rafa, but give the boy a bit
of help, will you.
If it's help up top Liverpool's No 9 needs, then he won't do any
better then snapping up one of these:
The Macedonian was valued at £17m when Spurs and Arsenal showed
an interest last summer but if Benitez can coax a few more million
out of the American owners, a deal is possible.
The 23-year-old AC Milan target enjoyed a superb 2008-2009
season after scoring 26 goals in 32 league appearances with
Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg but price may be an issue.
Rejuvenated after his horror-spell at Tottenham Hotspur, Bent
has re-discovered the lethal form that made him the top English
goalscorer in the Barclays Premier League in 2005-2006.
Going forward: Carlton Cole and Marouane Chamakh
are both ideal buys for Rafa
Another player whose future is uncertain, given the current
situation at Upton Park, the England man would be ideal for Torres
to play off.
A target for Arsenal and West Ham
over the summer, Chamakh, the Bordeaux hit-man has made it clear
that he wants to move to the Premier League.
The one's that got away: City striker Craig Bellamy
and Spurs duo Peter Crouch & Robbie Keane have excelled since
they quit Anfield, particularly this season.
However, Benitez could have saved the hassle had he decided to
keep hold of any one of Peter Crouch, Robbie Keane or Craig Bellamy
who are all banging in goals lately.
