[lfc-news] Benitez confident he can handle high expectations - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 21 Oct 2004
Benitez confident he can handle high expectations
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ'S triumph at Valencia was to win the Spanish title twice with
a limited budget.

While Real Madrid and Barcelona dealt in record-breaking transfers, Benitez
was working with Spain's version of a shoestring.

Indeed, his frustration at a lack of boardroom backing was one of the
reasons he answered Liverpool's SOS.

Benitez knows he'll never have to engage in the same kind of power
struggles at Anfield which he endured at the Mestella.

But when it comes to creating the next great Liverpool side, it could be a
case of deja vu in the transfer market.

The Liverpool boss admits he has no idea what budget he'll be working with
when the January transfer window opens.

Yet he's sure no matter how much he spends, he's capable of using the
resources he has to transform the club's fortunes.

"It's true I had problems with the board at Valencia. In the first year we
spent some money and won the title. That was when I bought Mista and Curro
Torres from Tenerife," Benitez explained..

"In the second year I said we needed more players and they said we had no
money. We played all season with just one player on loan.

"In the third season I wanted a left back, right back and centre forward
but I was told there was nothing.

"I remember the chairman telling the fans we will sign who you want. When I
said 'come on then' he said 'we have no money'.

"When they told me the players they were signing I said 'they are not good
players'.

"They then paid for players I didn't want. I just worked with the team and
the players I had.

"I'm sure it's possible I can improve the team here by working with the
players I have. I prefer not to think about what money I may have to spend,
I just want to concentrate on the team I have. That's better.

"So far we have sold Michael Owen and Danny Murphy, and with the money we
signed Josemi, Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia and Nunez.

"All the money has been paid for Nunez and Josemi and we've made the first
year of payments for Alonso and Garcia. We have made good signings here
already without spending a lot of money.

"My job now is to get to know the market for the players we can sign. We
will always want good players who aren't expensive, if possible. If we have
money, okay, then you can sign ten players.

"But if you don't you work with the players you have and prepare the team
the best you can. Then you work with young players and prepare for the future.

"After Tuesday night, I'm happy with my team. The movement, passing and
ideas were good. We defended well, and gave their forwards no chances. I
thought we played more like the team I want in the future."

The similarities with Valencia may exist from a financial point of view,
but in terms of expectation Benitez has already noted a huge difference
between his early days at the Mestalla and those at Anfield.

"When I signed for Valencia they'd reached the Champions League final for
the past two years. They talked about being a big club but they had won
nothing," he said..

"When I arrived as a new manager without a big reputation the fans thought
'who is this?'.

"The board told them I was a good worker, nothing more. After six months
we'd progressed as a team and in the second part of the season we played
very well. We won the first title for Valencia in 31 years in the first year.

"Here it is different. Valencia in Spain is not like Liverpool in England.
Liverpool is a bigger name. There's more history, more tradition and more
titles have been won. The supporters know their history and they know the
club needs to be at the top. But they've also seen the last years here and
know where we are. They know we need to change a lot of things."

The reaction to Benitez so far has been enthusiastic, and even though his
side didn't win in midweek, he's already ensured at least one goal for the
season has been achieved.

Supporters are excited about watching football at Anfield again.

He said: "I think they are happy with what we've done so far. Alex Miller
told me about how the team played at home last season. The supporters
didn't see enough chances or opportunities. Now when they come to Anfield,
they always think we can win. They see we will be creative."


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