Benitez lays down the law
RAFAEL BENITEZ has thrown down the gauntlet to his Liverpool
players to prove they are big enough to be part of the new Red
Revolution. The Anfield boss has warned his stars not to be
distracted by the impending takeover of the club by the oil rich
Dubai International Capital group.
Benitez is expected to get a transfer kitty of around £80 million
but hopes that will inspire his current squad to show they are
irreplaceable.
The Spaniard said: "Because the future looks positive, I'm sure all
the players will be thinking about this in a good way and, if
Liverpool is moving forward, they'll want to be part of that. I
have spoken to Rick Parry and the chairman and they are very
positive.
"But it is important we now all keep our focus.
Ruthless Rafa has already shown he is prepared to make big changes.
He dismantled the side that won the Champions League 18 months ago
and will not be afraid to wield the axe again if they do not meet
the new challenges.
But Benitez insisted he won't compromise Anfield traditions by
introducing the kind of celebrity culture that has engulfed Chelsea
since Roman Abramovich ploughed his fortune into the club. The
Liverpool boss said: "My staff and I are doing exactly the same
things now as we've always done and always will do.
"At Liverpool, there will always be a balance between making the
right changes but also thinking about the heritage. Benitez has
already met top officials from DIC who attended yesterday's game
against Fulham after spending the week examining the club's
finances.
The £450million takeover is expected to be concluded in the New
Year with chief executive Rick Parry being tipped to take over as
club chairman
The Dutchman said: "Rafa is a very clever manager He is good at
building up a team and he should be able to handle that pressure of
having more money to spend. "Our squad already has a lot of quality
and if there is more money coming into the club it will get better
and better.
"I don't know much about the takeover only bits that I have read
about. But it seems good for the club and that means it is good for
the players. We don't have to be afraid of it."
