[lfc-news] Benitez had his heart set on Woody - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 2 Sept 2004
Benitez had his heart set on Woody
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez today revealed Jonathan Woodgate was his top
summer transfer target before Real Madrid's multi-million swoop for the
defender.

And Benitez says he was also frustrated in his bid to sign Fernando
Morientes from the Spanish giants as part of the Michael Owen deal.

The manager's admission demonstrates he still feels his side is short of
top quality in defence and attack.

With the transfer window closed until January, Benitez must now wait before
reinforcing his squad.

Woodgate left Newcastle in a £15m deal a fortnight ago. The Reds' boss says
Liverpool couldn't compete financially once Madrid made their move.

"Woodgate is a most interesting player. I requested him for Liverpool
because his references were excellent," Benitez said.

"We wanted to sign him, but he was expensive for our budget. In addition,
he has been injured a long time. When we'd decided, Madrid already had made
a bid that we could not equal."

On Morientes, Benitez added: "I wanted him as part of the Owen deal. But he
had given his word to Camacho to stay and he kept it."

The Spanish coach has quickly recognised the scale of the task ahead of
him. While publicly declaring his satisfaction with the squad he's working
with, he's also bracing himself for some difficult early months while his
plans come to fruition.

Benitez added: "To lose a game like that against Bolton has not made
anybody nervous. After the game, the chairman came onto the bus and told me
to be calm. He said it was a matter of time. I can work without tension
because I have time to arrive at my objectives.

"I want a Liverpool that keeps the ball. I want balance in defence and
attack. I do not have fixed schemes to create another Valencia out of
Liverpool, but I want us to play good football."

Meanwhile, Benitez has expressed his astonishment at the fee Manchester
United paid for teenager Wayne Rooney.

Benitez said: "Rooney is a good forward, but if I must be sincere, the
price that has been paid is crazy. Manchester made its decision, but
sometimes the transfer market goes too far."

Coventry's audacious attempt to take Chris Kirkland back on loan is doomed.

Liverpool spent the final weeks of transfer activity trying to recruit
goalkeeping cover, so there is no chance of Benitez allowing the only
deputy to Jerzy Dudek to leave the club.

Indeed, once Kirkland has recovered from his back problem he'll be a strong
contender to regain his place as Anfield number one, especially since Dudek
has struggled for form since the start of the season.

Manchester City have reportedly failed with a late bid to sign Stephane
Henchoz on transfer deadline day.


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