RAFA TAKES SWIPE AT BIG-SPENDER JURGEN
RAFA BENITEZ believes Jurgen Klopp has a big advantage over him as Liverpool boss because he does not have to sell to buy. The Spaniard won the Champions League in his first season at Anfield in 2005 but could not bring them a first Premier League title since 1990. Benitez, though, says Klopp is better armed than he was to land the crown, given the financial backing which has seen £250million spent this calendar year alone. ‘When I was there we had to sell to buy,’ he said ahead of this afternoon’s return to Anfield with his Newcastle side. ‘Now they have a better squad because when you spend money you bring in better players. So when they sign Fabinho and Naby Keita, yet they keep Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum, the squad is better and that means competition and you always have a strong team on the pitch.’ Benitez says the fact Liverpool are not totally reliant on a player such as Mo Salah proves they have the depth to compete. ‘Salah is showing everyone he is among the best,’ he added. ‘He has the pace, the vision, the ability, he is clinical in front of goal. But it is not just him, they have a very good team and a very good squad, you can change players and still have a very good 11. ‘The team is helping Salah to perform every week. Football is about consistency and quality and, at the moment, he has everything.’