[lfc-news] Rafa: Nando needs help from the flanks - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 9 Aug 2005
Nando needs help from the flanks - Rafa
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ today urged his Liverpool side to do more to play to
Fernando Morientes' strengths as he defended his striker from pre-season
jibes.

Morientes has been the focus of attention following some under-par
performances during the first two Champions League qualifiers.

Benitez acknowledges there is far more to come from the former Real
Madrid striker, but believes part of the problem is the lack of
ammunition to his forwards from the flanks.

The summer pursuit of wide men, which is still ongoing, underlines the
manager's intentions to recruit players who'll provide the right service
to both Morientes and, when fit, Peter Crouch.

"We know Fernando can play better and he knows he can play better. He
wants to do that," said Benitez, who has dismissed claims he's
considered offloading his £6m signing.

"All the ingredients are in place to ensure we see the best of him this
season. When we put more crosses in the box for him, you will see a
better player.

"I don't think we need to change a lot of things to get more from him.
If you see our style, particularly at Anfield, we try to get players
wide and the idea is to get more crosses in.

"We need to do that far more at home and away. We also need to keep the
ball better. That's one of biggest problems away from home. The more we
have the ball, the more opportunities we will have to provide the right
pass to our strikers."

Morientes is hunting his first competitive goal of a campaign in which
Steven Gerrard, Djibril Cisse and Jamie Carragher are the only players
on target so far.

In the absence of Crouch, he's battling with Djibril Cisse for the
chance to lead the line tomorrow as a more cautious approach is expected
from the manager.

"We have more options in terms of the forwards and different
combinations. Morientes will benefit this season from having Crouch
alongside him," said Benitez.

"They are both good in the air but they're also comfortable on the ball.
It's a shame for Peter he's injured after just arriving, but he will be
fit soon and he'll show what a good player he is."

Benitez handed Milan Baros a late call-up to the travelling party
yesterday afternoon after a series of untimely injuries.

Bolo Zenden has been left out as a precaution with a groin problem, but
should be fit to face Middlesbrough this weekend.

Baros is the subject of renewed interest from Lyon who'll be hoping the
striker doesn't feature in Sofia, thus leaving him cup-tied for the rest
of the European campaign.

Benitez insists he'll have no qualms about thrusting Baros onto the
pitch if needed, but his participation is highly unlikely and his
inclusion may have more to do with prompting Lyon to match Liverpool's
£7m valuation.

Youngster Antonio Barragan has also been named in the squad.

"I was talking to Pako Ayesteran and he was saying he's been doing well
in training and what a good player Antonio is for the future," said
Benitez..

"We are short of players right now so we have called him up."

CSKA Sofia will clearly offer a more testing challenge to the European
Champions than the minnows of Wales and Lithuania.

Liverpool have the advantage of travelling away first, but Benitez is
warning his side of the perils of facing a side with a European pedigree
which includes a famous Anfield scalp 23 years ago.

"We know this team is good with a very offensive mentality. I hope we
don't see their attacking players too often," said Benitez.

"This will be a step up and bigger test for us so we must be careful.
This is the most important round of all. There are more quality sides in
the competition now.

"We have trained for a month, but really the difficult games start now
and we must be ready."

* Rafa Benitez, meanwhile, has hit out at the red tape which has blocked
Chilean winger Mark Gonzalez's move to Anfield.

The Reds agreed a loan deal with Albacete for the 20-year-old, with a
view to a permanent £3m move, but a work permit application was thrown
out last week.

Benitez slammed the decision, saying: "How can you play for your
national team, be the best player for your country, play in the Spanish
league and not be good enough for the Premier-ship? I don't understand.

"We spent six months scouting the player and as Champions League winners
we think he can improve our team.

"At least 50 per cent of the players in the Premiership are worse than Mark.

"It is impossible for anybody to say he has no quality. You can only say
that if you know nothing at all about football."

The panel which made the work permit decision includes former
Huddersfield Town striker Mark Lillis and ex-Chesterfield and Ipswich
manager John Duncan.

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