Rafa Benitez Defends His Liverpool Transfer Record

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has defended his record in the transfer market during his time at Anfield.

He told The Times: "At a time when we didn't have endless economic resources, I think that we made good signings in general. We should be talking about players like Reina, Agger, Mascherano, Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia, Torres, Babel, Lucas Leiva, Skrtel and also Arbeloa, Sissoko, Fabio Aurelio, Kuyt. These are players who have brought a lot to the team. And in certain cases � for example, Sissoko and Bellamy � the club gained financially.

"We have signed 28 players in four years for the first team. Considering that the number of changes we had to make when I arrived and the fact that without much money we have to take more risks, I don't think this is a disproportionate number."

Benitez also compared his spending with Liverpool's nearest rivals.

"Chelsea had spent £120 million previously and an additional £240 million to win the league in the 2004-05 season. Manchester United have spent £200 million in recent years. This year on Carlos Tevez, Owen Hargreaves, Anderson and Nani, that cost them more than £70 million. Tottenham have spent £100 million in the last two seasons alone. And Arsenal have spent more or less the same amount as we have on young players with potential.<> "In my four years at Liverpool we have spent £150 million and we have gained somewhere in the region of £70 million. Looking at those numbers, there's a difference of £20 million per season, yet we have won four [trophies] and played seven finals. When all things are considered, that's not a bad return. I think that we're on the right path."

The Best League In The World ???

In the next couple of weeks, four English clubs: Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool will be involved in the quarter final stage of the highest club competition tournament in Europe, The European Champions League. A phenomenal feat that would surely make any English natives hold their heads up high with pride and the right to claim, that today, the English Premier League is the best league in Europe and the world.

But, along with the phenomenon, comes an irony regarding English football itself. Despite having four clubs competing in the European Champions League quarter final, their very own national team failed to qualify for the EURO 2008 tournament in Switzerland and Austria. The question is why? Why can't they qualify when they have so many world class players and managers in their league?

The answer lies within the nationality of those world class players and managers. Take a look at the nationality compositions of the four clubs that made it through the quarter final. Exactly how many of them can be defined as "English?"

We have four top-class clubs and none of them are managed by an English manager. The closest thing that comes to an English manager is Alex Ferguson who is Scottish by nationality. Theo Walcott is the only top English player in the Arsenal squad, and he doesn't even see regular first team football. Liverpool only has two English players as regular starters: Steven Gerrard and Jammie Carragher. The same number goes for Chelsea.

With so many foreigners, I don't think it's fair to say that those who are involved in the quarter final can be called "English teams." Rather, they should be called a name that resembles global and European teams who use England as their base.

There has been a lot of criticism about too many foreigners playing in European clubs for quite some time now. But then again, this is the risk of progress, the risk of going global. European football, especially English football, has grown into an "international brand" for football since the early 90's. The Bosman rule, globalization, and the EU labor policies and laws make it possible for any player to work and play football in Europe, as long as they have the skills.

In recent years, we have also seen a number of huge investments in football clubs made by foreign investors. These investments are particularly taking place in England where investors see the most potential for growth and profit. Suddenly, we have a Russian oil tycoon, some American sugar daddies, and Dubai's crowned prince as owners of major European clubs. The football clubs have been taken away from their real owners, the fans. And to make things worse, most of the investors invested in football clubs just so they can sell their stocks back to gain profits. Their sincerity to put money into the long term success of the club is highly questionable.

As with any other investments, all that investors want are fast results. There is no time for them to wait for home-grown players to develop into world class footballers. They want to buy already established players, win some trophies as fast as possible, and increase the value of the club before selling it back to another blood thirsty investor.

Football clubs are being taken out of their roots all over England, and there's nothing the FA, UEFA or FIFA can do about it. They condemn the investments, but can do nothing because the reality is primarily concerned about the money. In a free global market, anyone who has the money is allowed to do whatever he pleases as long as it is within the law. And no law can prohibit the buying and selling of clubs.

This is the sad reality of global football, and it will affect the biggest football nations of Europe. Will they have strong clubs? The most definitely will, but will they have the usual strong national teams? That remains very doubtful...

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
The two sides known to churn out tactical low-scoring affairs whenever they meet, disappointed yet again, producing a rather uninspired draw at Stamford Bridge.

The result really helps neither side, as Chelsea blow away a chance to close in on second placed Manchester United, while Liverpool now find themselves further adrift of a Champions League place.

Rafa's Reds were the better team, and saw more of the ball than the hosts, but chances were hard to come by for either side - and they hardly flattered themselves by giving the ball away easily in what was largely a midfield scrap.

Peter Crouch had Liverpool's best chance of the game when he was picked out by a cross from the right in the first half, but headed straight at Petr Cech despite being under no pressure.

Michael Ballack almost snatched a 75th minute winner for Chelsea when a smart lob from John Obi Mikel - back from Ghana - found him in the box, but he opened his body a little too much and volleyed inches wide at the far post.

Lucas Leiva had an 81st minute chance, but Juliano Belletti just about did enough to force his header wide from just seven yards out. Dirk Kuyt and Claudio Pizarro also had late attempts, but the game was destined to end goalless.

In the end, both sides were forced to settle for a point, with the scoreline a very fair reflection of a game that failed to live up to its billing.

Chelsea are five adrift of Arsenal, but could be eight off the pace if Arsenal win tomorrow. Meanwhile, Liverpool are fifth, three points off local rivals Everton, but with a game in hand.

Plucky Luton Force Replay Against Liverpool

Liverpool were given a real game by League One side Luton at Kenilworth Road as Kevin Blackwell's side held the Reds to a 1-1 draw.

An entertaining game saw Liverpool eventually take the lead through Peter Crouch, only for a Riise own-goal to hand Luton a deserved share of the spoils.

First Half

Rafa Benitez picked a strong Liverpool side to face Luton. The notable inclusions were Charles Itandje in goal and a start for Lucas in midfield. Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt started upfront for the Reds.

Luton acquitted themselves well in the first half keeping the Premiership giants goalless. It was however the visitors who got off to the better start.

With just 25 seconds on the clock, Dutch winger Ryan Babel set off on a mazy run, which saw him beat three defenders before forcing Brill into a fine save at his near post.

The home side should then have taken the lead with Edwards missing a glorious early chance. Played through and with Steve Finnan playing him onside, Charles Itandje stood tall and saved well with his foot to save the Reds' blushes.

Four minutes later and Kuyt and Crouch combined well to provide the Dutch striker with a shot on goal from the edge of the area. However, Kuyt fired high and wide when he really should have hit the target.

With 20 minutes gone the Hatters began to come more into the game and started to cause the Liverpool back line some problems. Drew Talbot skinned Sami Hyypia at the byeline, but lacked options coming in as he crossed low, and Itandje cut out the ball.

The financially struggling side were giving a good account of themselves with the possession statistics looking rather favourable for Kevin Blackwell's side. Another fine move on the half-hour mark saw Finnan outnumbered on the right, only for Jamie Carragher to come across and clear the danger.



Liverpool then reminded Luton of the danger they posed with Peter Crouch forcing Brill into a fine save with a shot from the edge of the box.

But with the half time whistle approaching, it was the home side that finished the strongest. Drew Talbot, who was becoming the clear dangerman for Luton, fizzed in an inviting low ball from the right which flew across the face of the Liverpool goal with nobody coming in to apply the finishing touch.

Second Half

The second half began much like the first with Liverpool starting better, but the home side coming more and more into the game.

Four minutes after the restart and Kuyt fired a great ball across the Luton box, only for Benayoun and Crouch to be unable to make the all-important contact. John-Arne Riise then saw a blasted shot clip off a defender a look goal-bound. Luton keeper Dean Brill although going the wrong way, stuck out a hand to save superbly.

Luton were however not going to be bullied by the Premiership side and had a marvellous chance of their own on 54 minutes. Currie dinked in an inviting cross to Talbot, but the midfielder headed over when it seemed he had to score.

Liverpool were finding it increasingly difficult to impose their quality and were making very hard work of breaking down the Luton defence. Riise was unlucky not to see a red card when bringing down Talbot, with referee Webb believing him not to be the last man.

Then rather against the run of play, Liverpool took the lead on 74 minutes. A poor header by Chris Perry allowed substitue Voronin to charge through on goal. His shot was saved well by Brill, but Crouch was on hand to slide home the rebound.

The lead however only lasted three minutes as Luton deservedly got themselves back into the game. Man of the Match Talbot fired in a dangerous cross from the left towards striker Edwards. Riise, who was tracking the forward attempted to cut-out the ball, only to see it rebound off his arm and past Itandje into the Liverpool net.

The last ten minutes saw Luton the more adventurous side and the lack of quality in the Liverpool side must have surprised the 10,000 fans inside Kenilworth Road.

In the end Luton probably deserved more than a draw, but as far as their bank balance is concerned, a lucrative replay at Anfield is the ideal result.

Surely on this kind of display, a wealthy backer out there will be tempted into investing in this talented side.

Line-ups:

Luton: Brill, Keane, Coyne, Perry, Goodall, Bell, Currie, Edwards, Spring, Andrew, Talbot

Subs not used: Hutchison, Jackson, Robinson, O'Leary, Furlong

Liverpool: Itandje, Finnan, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Lucas, Alonso (Mascherano 74), Benayoun (El Zhar 86), Babel (Voronin 70), Crouch, Kuyt

Subs not used: Martin, Hobbs

Goals:

0-1 Crouch (74)

1-1 Riise o.g (77)

Cards:

Yellow: Alonso (45) Riise (68) Hyypia (83)

Attendance: 10,226

Referee: Howard Webb