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."

Calcio Debate: Signing Sissoko A Huge Mistake For Juve

It is common knowledge that Juventus are on the market for a top-class centre midfielder during this month’s transfer window.

This has led to a host of big names being linked to the club, including the likes of Diego, Rafael Van der Vaart and Javier Mascherano.

Ultimately though it seems that the Old Lady have plumped for Liverpool battler Momo Sissoko. “The negotiations with Juve are close to conclusion. I can confirm that there are advanced negotiations between the Bianconeri and my agents.” the player told RMC a couple of days ago.

The 22-year-old Sissoko seems to have this mythical reputation, particularly in Italy, as the “new Patrick Vieira”. In reality nothing could be further from the truth.

The Malian is quite possibly the most over-rated player currently in circulation. He can’t pass, he can’t tackle without getting booked, he has poor technique and his shooting is abysmal as exemplified by the fact he has only scored two goals in his entire career.

The only attributes that Sissoko has in his locker are physical – he has excellent stamina and can run all day long. However does this make him a good player?

Most certainly not, as if this was the case then Olympic athletes would combine football with their track & field careers.

Admittedly at the age of 22, Sissoko is still very young and there is still a lot of time for him to improve. He may surprise me and suddenly develop an ability to pass, tackle, shoot, and control a ball. If he does I hold my hands up and apologise, however I just cannot for the life of me understand why Juventus would be prepared to pay the reported €15m for the player.

Juventus director of sport Alessio Secco had a disastrous transfer campaign last summer, and I am really beginning to doubt his competence at his job.

The Bianconeri splashed out €22m on Tiago Mendes and Sergio Almiron, a huge amount of money on two players that were never going to be a title-winning or Champions League-winning centre-midfield partnership.

Surely it would have been better to spend that money on one guaranteed world-class midfielder?

His other signings from last summer have also failed to shine. Jorge Andrade was awful in the opening weeks of the season before his serious knee injury, while Zdenek Grygera and Hasan Salihamidzic have hardly set the world on fire.

The only new players this season that have impressed are Antonio Nocerino and Vincenzo Iaquinta, and it may surprise you to know that neither of these were Secco’s signings.

They were in fact former transfer guru Luciano Moggi’s players. Iaquinta was tracked by Lucky Luciano for a number of years, while Nocerino joined the Juve youth-system six years ago before being sent out on loan and co-ownership deals.

Indeed the real reason Juventus are performing so well this season is everything to do with Moggi and nothing to do with Secco.

It is the likes of Trezeguet, Chiellini and Buffon who have been protagonists, while even the brilliant crop of youth players that includes likely future Italy internationals such as Sebastian Giovinco, Claudio Marchisio and Domenico Criscito was Moggi’s work.

The imminent signing of Momo Sissoko appears to me only a continuation of the disastrous transfer policy of Secco.