Benitez pursuing striking options

Liverpool Daily Post, 24 Dec 2004
Benitez pursuing striking options
By Andy Hunter, Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ last night revealed he has broadened his search for a new
striker and warned Real Madrid he will not be held to ransom over
Fernando Morientes.

The Liverpool manager remains keen to bring the Spanish international to
Anfield in the transfer window but is growing increasingly frustrated at
Madrid's refusal to lower their £7million asking price.

Benitez does not have £7m to spend in January and believes Monday's
£3.5m offer is a fair valuation of a 28-year-old with 18 months
remaining on his contract.

But if Morientes is unable to persuade the Spanish giants to reach a
compromise deal, Benitez admits he will step up his interest in
alternative targets - including Manchester City's Nicolas Anelka.

"I have read in the papers that Morientes wants to play for Liverpool,"
he said.

"I know Newcastle are trying to sign the player and talk to Madrid but
the player has made it clear that he wants to come here.

"We are not going to do anything differently at the moment. Morientes is
an option but we are also looking at different options. It is not a good
idea to only have one option.

"I am happy with Mellor, Baros and Sinama but we have a lot of games
coming up in four competitions and we will need to have another striker.

"There are a lot of players on the market and I am sure we will find the
best one for Liverpool.

"But we don't want to pay a lot of money for the player, he has to be at
the right price.

"Morientes is one of the players we are talking about but he is not the
only one. He is a good player but I have other options."

Madrid have admitted that a "fantastic offer" could persuade them to
part with Morientes.

New vice-president Emilio Butragueno admitted he understood the
striker's frustration at his lack of first-team football but insisted
any deal had to also benefit Madrid.

He told Spanish newspaper Marca: "If there is a fantastic offer then we
will consider it.

"Morientes is a very good player and we are not going to stand in
anyone's way, not least Fernando because he has always behaved in a
professional manner, but we also have to look at the interests of the club.

"It is clear that Fernando is upset at not playing very much but I also
have to say that the season is very long.

"I remember two years ago when we played Juventus in the Champions
League and we had Javier Portillo and Morientes in attack. I understand
Fernando and he understands our position."

Meanwhile, Josemi has picked up a knee injury which will need a visit to
a specialist - and could see him sidelined for up to six weeks.

It is a bitter blow for the Spanish full-back who has just completed a
one-match suspension and appears to have lost his starting place to
Steve Finnan after a recent dip in form.

Igor Biscan is fit for the Boxing Day trip to West Brom having damaged
his cheekbone in the Carling Cup win at Tottenham. But goalkeeper Chris
Kirkland is a week away from a return to the squad following his back
injury.

Albion will be without central defender Darren Moore.

Moore is continuing to struggle with the knee injury that has forced him
to miss the last two games.

The Jamaican international has targeted the New Year's Day game against
Bolton for his comeback.

They will also have to check on the fitness of Romanian international
midfielder Cosmin Contra.

Contra is still troubled by the groin strain that forced him to miss
last weekend's 4-0 defeat at the hands of Birmingham City.