Benitez buys paying dividends... and there are more to come
RAFA BENITEZ’S opinion of competitions organised by FIFA may not be high, but his mind now returns to matters closer to home. The Premiership title race, for one thing, and the Champions League.
The Liverpool manager left concerns about the Club World Championship’s credibility, after the extraordinary refereeing that denied his side the chance of winning the one trophy that eludes them, behind on the flight home. His side were second in the Premiership and awaiting the Champions League draw when they flew to Japan nine days ago.
Despite losing to Sao Paulo on Sunday, Liverpool should take pride and confidence from their displays in Japan.
It proved how good a side Benitez is building at Anfield and how the strength Liverpool possess goes beyond his preferred starting line-up. He made five changes between the two games in Yokohama and both sides performed well.
Much of that has to do with how astute Benitez has been in the transfer market. The signing of players like Xabi Alonso had already impressed most observers but the men he has brought in since lifting the European Cup last May have also settled well.
Peter Crouch is beginning to make an impression, Jose Reina kept 11 successive clean sheets, Momo Sissoko has shown huge promise and Bolo Zenden also made a good contribution before suffering a serious knee injury.
But Benitez speaks with endearing modesty. ‘I’ve got it right a lot of times over my career, but also made a lot of mistakes,’ he said.
He still has money to spend in the transfer window next month. A return for Benfica midfielder Simao Sabrosa is possible, but the Liverpool boss will not panic buy.
The Premiership title remains the Holy Grail. It has eluded chairman David Moores during his 14-year reign at Anfield and he believes he may have to wait a bit longer.
Moores said: ‘Maybe it’s too late for this season, but we’ll go all the way. I’m sure the others are watching Liverpool a lot closer now. I’m more optimistic about us winning the title than I’ve ever been.’