[lfc-news] Rafa sets one week deadline - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 7 Jan 2005
Rafa sets one week deadline
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL have set a one week deadline to complete the transfer of Fernando Morientes.

Rafa Benitez will pull the plug on the £5m bid if a deal isn't agreed by next weekend.

If Real Madrid continue to block the transfer, Benitez will turn his attentions elsewhere, with Nicolas Anelka topping the list of alternatives.

While Anelka is highly rated at Anfield, Benitez hasn't given up hope on his prime target, Morientes, just yet.

There's been no official move for Anelka and there's not likely to be until the Morientes deal is dead.

Benitez diplomatically suggested the latest delay was due to the Spanish holidays, but talks have been ongoing on a daily basis and Madrid's indecision, as well as the role of Morientes' agent Gines Carvaja, is the stumbling block.

While the player has always declared his intention is to move to Anfield, his agent has been trying to entice other clubs into an auction.

A deal worth around £5m was close on a number of occasions since Liverpool made their move, only for the Spanish club to change its mind again.

Should the Morientes negotiations collapse, Benitez will still need more convincing Anelka is the solution.

Although the French striker was a hit during his loan stint at Anfield, the Liverpool boss thinks it would represent a gamble to bring him back.

Benitez has favoured Morientes over the ex-Arsenal star from the outset, which is why he's remained so patient in the face of Madrid stubborness.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will travel to Burnley tonight with Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia, Steven Finnan and Luis Garcia all rested.

Ground staff at Turf Moor have worked non-stop for 24 hours to ensure the fixture goes ahead and the club was 'optimistic' about prospects this morning.

Benitez's young guns will return, with the manager insisting the FA Cup is being taken seriously despite his selection policy.

"I will be using David Raven, Zak Whitbread, Darren Potter, Mark Smyth, John Welsh and Neil Mellor," confirmed Benitez. "Jamie Carragher will probably be in the side, but Steven Gerrard will be rested. We are thinking the same way as we were when we began the Carling Cup.

"It's important to work with the young players so they are ready for these kinds of games. If we can't win this match by using the whole squad, that means we don't have the players to compete at a high level in four competitions.

"We are going to win, but it's impossible to do well in four competitions with exactly the same players. We have reached the semi-final of the Carling Cup and have another two games in five days before we play Manchester United next weekend. That's an important game against a side in the top four which we need to consider.

"After tonight's match, I will decide if the young players are too tired to play against Watford, too.

"Mauricio Pellegrino won't be involved for this game because the papers didn't arrive in time."

Milan Baros is back in training but not considered for tonight's clash.

Benitez added: "Burnley have a good record at home, winning their last four league games without conceding a goal, and always when a big club plays against a team from a lower division you know they will run hard and make it very hard."