Benitez: I have no cash for a summer spree

[the count]

Rafael Benitez does not expect his Liverpool transfer kitty to be adversely affected if his club does not qualify for the Champions League this season – only because he has precious few funds to play with in the first place.

Benitez was advised at the start of the season that he could do little more than spend the money he generated, hence the purchases of Alberto Aquilani and Glen Johnson only once outgoing deals for Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa had been settled.

The manager has also spent a relatively small amount bringing Maxi Rodriguez and Sotirios Kyrgiakos to Merseyside yet he is anything but the last of the big spenders.

Not finishing fourth is currently unthinkable yet if they do not make it, he expects no reduction in his war chest only because he is determined not to miss what he never had.

"They [the owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks] told me before that it didn't make a big difference [if we don't qualify]. Every year that we have qualified for the Champions League it hasn't made a big difference so if we don't qualify this time I don't expect a big difference."

A failure to qualify for the Champions League would be a stark wake-up call to the fact that the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Aston Villa are now all genuine contenders. The hegemony of the old Big Four looks to be over – with Liverpool the principal victims – yet Benitez has not given up faith that a strong end of season can restore their position among the elite.

"It could go to the very end," he said. "I don't know which teams will be there. Hopefully it will be Liverpool and maybe another one but now there are four and maybe five teams involved so it is important to remain calm."

He also confirmed that Albert Riera's time at Anfield is almost up after he publicly criticised the Liverpool manager last week. Benitez said Riera could be sent out on loan.


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/benitez-i-have-no-cash-for-a-summer-spree-1928674.html

 

[Terrier]

"They [the owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks] told me before that it didn't make a big difference [if we don't qualify]. Every year that we have qualified for the Champions League it hasn't made a big difference so if we don't qualify this time I don't expect a big difference."

Dead Man Walking.

 

[acejmk]

Oh well no shock there then for fuck sake :-\

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Terrier link=topic=39515.msg1076993#msg1076993 date=1269678920]

"They [the owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks] told me before that it didn't make a big difference [if we don't qualify]. Every year that we have qualified for the Champions League it hasn't made a big difference so if we don't qualify this time I don't expect a big difference."

Dead Man Walking.
[/quote]


wishful thinking. rafa has ripped into the owners before and he is still here.

 

[spider-Neil]

if there is truly no money except was is generated with sales then I would sell riera and spend the money on joe cole's wages. I hate going for sick notes but we are running out of options.

 

[KopKing]

Whilst throwing cash at the problem isn't always the answer, in our case it is. Good spine or not, we're slipping out of the elite.

I cannot possibly put into words my utter hatred and contempt for the owners, running our club into the ground like this, for the privilege of their ownership.

 

[Oncy]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39515.msg1076996#msg1076996 date=1269679165]
if there is truly no money except was is generated with sales then I would sell riera and spend the money on joe cole's wages. I hate going for sick notes but we are running out of options.
[/quote]Hahahaha. In MARCH! 3 months before the transfer window opens. Before the league campaign ends. Before we know our final league position. Before we know wether there is any additional investment. Before we know rbs refinancing conditions. Before we know the position of the manager.
Were RUNNING OUT OF OPTIONS!!!!!!!!11111 SIGN JOE COLE!!!111///

hysterical much?

 

[Fabio]

EVERYONE DON'T PANIC


OH SHIT!!

*jumps out of window*

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=KopKing link=topic=39515.msg1076999#msg1076999 date=1269679883]
Whilst throwing cash at the problem isn't always the answer, in our case it is. Good spine or not, we're slipping out of the elite.

I cannot possibly put into words my utter hatred and contempt for the owners, running our club into the ground like this, for the privilege of their ownership.
[/quote]

Yes, it's all their fault.

 

[KopKing]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=39515.msg1077014#msg1077014 date=1269684993]
[quote author=KopKing link=topic=39515.msg1076999#msg1076999 date=1269679883]
Whilst throwing cash at the problem isn't always the answer, in our case it is. Good spine or not, we're slipping out of the elite.

I cannot possibly put into words my utter hatred and contempt for the owners, running our club into the ground like this, for the privilege of their ownership.
[/quote]

Yes, it's all their fault.
[/quote]

I presume that was ironical/sarcastic?

 

[keniget]

I'm not quite sure what to read into this. It seems like an odd thing to say at an odd time.

 

[Judge Jules]

Could he be preparing the ground for leaving in the summer?

 

[MomoWASright]

Did anyone really expect us to be signing big money players anyway? Who on here said "we can no longer shop at Harrods!"

 

[Spionkop69]

[quote author=Terrier link=topic=39515.msg1076993#msg1076993 date=1269678920]

"They [the owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks] told me before that it didn't make a big difference [if we don't qualify]. Every year that we have qualified for the Champions League it hasn't made a big difference so if we don't qualify this time I don't expect a big difference."

Dead Man Walking.
[/quote]

Oh look, Terrier's going fishing again with more of his oh so clever "tongue in cheek" remarks.

Lets hope you get a bite eh.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Spionkop69 link=topic=39515.msg1077028#msg1077028 date=1269685994]
[quote author=Terrier link=topic=39515.msg1076993#msg1076993 date=1269678920]

"They [the owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks] told me before that it didn't make a big difference [if we don't qualify]. Every year that we have qualified for the Champions League it hasn't made a big difference so if we don't qualify this time I don't expect a big difference."

Dead Man Walking.
[/quote]

Oh look, Terrier's going fishing again with more of his oh so clever "tongue in cheek" remarks.

Lets hope you get a bite eh.
[/quote]

He's boss isn't he?

 

[Vlads Quiff]

Blows dust of last two years interview notes.........

Here we go again

 

[Jürgen4PM]

I think this is proof that Rafa doesn't talk to his players!

He's heard Pepe, Torres and now Mascher publicly call for the need to invest in our squad, and this is just his way of letting them know that it isn't going to happen!

*Continues to hope and pray that we find new investment before the start of next season*

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=39515.msg1077037#msg1077037 date=1269687615]
I think this is proof that Rafa doesn't talk to his players!

He's heard Pepe, Torres and now Mascher publicly call for the need to invest in our squad, and this is just his way of letting them know that it isn't going to happen!
[/quote]

Ha!

Seriously though, I think it's just his usual way of putting pressure on the owners ahead of the Summer.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=39515.msg1077038#msg1077038 date=1269687812]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=39515.msg1077037#msg1077037 date=1269687615]
I think this is proof that Rafa doesn't talk to his players!

He's heard Pepe, Torres and now Mascher publicly call for the need to invest in our squad, and this is just his way of letting them know that it isn't going to happen!
[/quote]

Ha!

Seriously though, I think it's just his usual way of putting pressure on the owners ahead of the Summer.
[/quote]

He's toned it down a bit, but i tend to agree with you Mark.

Maybe he should keep quiet about this, but it is clear that we desperately need to invest in our squad this summer.

 

[vantage]

[quote author=Spionkop69 link=topic=39515.msg1077028#msg1077028 date=1269685994]
[quote author=Terrier link=topic=39515.msg1076993#msg1076993 date=1269678920]

"They [the owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks] told me before that it didn't make a big difference [if we don't qualify]. Every year that we have qualified for the Champions League it hasn't made a big difference so if we don't qualify this time I don't expect a big difference."

Dead Man Walking.
[/quote]

Oh look, Terrier's going fishing again with more of his oh so clever "tongue in cheek" remarks.

Lets hope you get a bite eh.
[/quote]

Poor the Ro-Land.

 

[Bernowatson]

No Rafa...........

You havent got any money because you wont be here come June.

 

[Terrier]

[quote author=Spionkop69 link=topic=39515.msg1077028#msg1077028 date=1269685994]
[quote author=Terrier link=topic=39515.msg1076993#msg1076993 date=1269678920]

"They [the owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks] told me before that it didn't make a big difference [if we don't qualify]. Every year that we have qualified for the Champions League it hasn't made a big difference so if we don't qualify this time I don't expect a big difference."

Dead Man Walking.
[/quote]

Oh look, Terrier's going fishing again with more of his oh so clever "tongue in cheek" remarks.

Lets hope you get a bite eh.
[/quote]



Haha....fuck off you troll.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=39515.msg1077007#msg1077007 date=1269684389]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39515.msg1076996#msg1076996 date=1269679165]
if there is truly no money except was is generated with sales then I would sell riera and spend the money on joe cole's wages. I hate going for sick notes but we are running out of options.
[/quote]Hahahaha. In MARCH! 3 months before the transfer window opens. Before the league campaign ends. Before we know our final league position. Before we know wether there is any additional investment. Before we know rbs refinancing conditions. Before we know the position of the manager.
Were RUNNING OUT OF OPTIONS!!!!!!!!11111 SIGN JOE COLE!!!111///

hysterical much?
[/quote]

you should practice what you preach, you often post like we've aready finished 7th.

 

[Rosco]

This is Benitez absolving himself of blame.

I think everyone knows that without CL football we're about 20m worse off in revenues. Luckily this year the slack should be made up by the increased sponsorship and TV money. But if we do qualify for the CL we'll have a positive net spend. If we don't we won't.

 

[Hansern]

And I also read somewhere that the sponsorhip money will be reduced if we don't make the CL. Don't know if that is true or not though.

 

[Molbystwin]

Its fair comment from Benitez, it has made fuck all difference but the owners being cunts or not doesn't excuse the way he's had them playing this season at least not completely.

On the bright side i've just read that spurs have got Arsenal, Chelski, United and City in the run in....ouch!

 

[KopKing]

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=39515.msg1077059#msg1077059 date=1269694046]
This is Benitez absolving himself of blame.

I think everyone knows that without CL football we're about 20m worse off in revenues. Luckily this year the slack should be made up by the increased sponsorship and TV money. But if we do qualify for the CL we'll have a positive net spend. If we don't we won't.
[/quote]

No, he was just calling it as it is.

 

[Rosco]

What do you mean it's made fuck all difference ?

Have a look at the accounts of the club for the last few years, it's not turning a profit. Everything that can be spent is being spent, take out 20m every year in CL money and you have no Torres and Mascherano for a start.

 

[singlerider]

[quote author=KopKing link=topic=39515.msg1077062#msg1077062 date=1269694333]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=39515.msg1077059#msg1077059 date=1269694046]
This is Benitez absolving himself of blame.

I think everyone knows that without CL football we're about 20m worse off in revenues. Luckily this year the slack should be made up by the increased sponsorship and TV money. But if we do qualify for the CL we'll have a positive net spend. If we don't we won't.
[/quote]

No, he was just calling it as it is.
[/quote]

The two are not mutually exclusive.

While his point may be a valid one, it's actually unlikely to be that close to the mark - as what he is saying is "Every time I've qualified for the Champions League they haven't given me any extra money" though he has generally still been given a reasonable war chest - this time not qualifying for the Champions League might see him get *actually* nothing.

He's saying it like he hasn't had *any* money to spend, when in actual fact we've bought Torres at £20M, Mascher at £18Mish and smashed our transfer record for a defender three times, not to mention spunking £19M on Robbie Keane, nigh on £12M on a striker that he refuses to play as a winger, and £17M on a creative midfielder he doesn't trust to play when we're looking utterly devoid of creation. Now he's having a bitch (a justified bitch, but a bitch nonetheless) that when the team he's created doesn't get fourth place there's not gonna be a pot of gold waiting for him at the end of the rainbow.

Well, duh.

The blame for that has to lie predominantly at Rafa's feet if - as the article suggests - he knew beforehand that his budget was entirely dependant on sales. If he knew that was all he had, some should have been kept aside as either back up for Fernando, or for replacements for Kuyt or Babel so that they could play up front. Instead he's prioritised completely the wrong areas, found the team has come up short, hasn't had any options - or been unwilling to take them - to overcome these issues, and as a result we're going to be up the shitter.

It's not just a matter of making a mistake in the transfer market - everybody does that, Wenger, Ginsoak and Maureen no exception. Buying a player and getting it wrong is part-and-parcel of football, fair enough.

But forgetting to buy a proper back up for an injury prone player (and a key player at that) whilst at the same time spending £17.5M on a position that could be filled for £5/6M and spending another £17M on an injured player who can't play for months, and then isn't played when he is available?

Negligent.

Rafa needs to take a look at himself before he starts dragging everyone else's name through the mud - everyone can see what a pair of fuck ups the owners are, we don't need reminding of that - but it's a bit fucking rich to start acting like he's infallible or something

 

[Oncy]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39515.msg1077057#msg1077057 date=1269692801]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=39515.msg1077007#msg1077007 date=1269684389]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39515.msg1076996#msg1076996 date=1269679165]
if there is truly no money except was is generated with sales then I would sell riera and spend the money on joe cole's wages. I hate going for sick notes but we are running out of options.
[/quote]Hahahaha. In MARCH! 3 months before the transfer window opens. Before the league campaign ends. Before we know our final league position. Before we know wether there is any additional investment. Before we know rbs refinancing conditions. Before we know the position of the manager.
Were RUNNING OUT OF OPTIONS!!!!!!!!11111 SIGN JOE COLE!!!111///

hysterical much?
[/quote]

you should practice what you preach, you often post like we've aready finished 7th.
[/quote]What a crock of shit.