[lfc-news] Stars lifting Zak to Anfield heights - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 4 Aug 2005
Stars lifting Zak to Anfield heights
By Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

EVER since Zak Whitbread made it onto the fringes of the Liverpool squad
he has found his path to the first team obstructed by two of the central
pillars of Rafa Benitez's new look side.

But instead of being envious or resentful at the enduring excellence of
Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher, the American-born centre-back says
Benitez's first choice defensive duo are providing him with the
inspiration to continue pursuing his Anfield dream.

Whitbread, who performed well alongside Hyypia in the 2-0 win over FBK
Kaunas on Tuesday night, is now looking to challenge his mentors and
give his manager a sel ect i on headache in central defence similar to
the one he has in central midfield.

"In the modern game you have to have a good squad with a number of
players for every position so you have to accept competition for
places," he said.

"My job is to put pressure on Sami and Carra so that the manager sees me
as an alternative to them.

"But you only have to look at the way those two have played in the last
couple of years to realise what a difficult job it would be to replace
either of them."

Benitez admits he wants two quality players for each and every position,
which is why he has added Mohamed Sissoko to the established midfield
triumvirate of Steven Gerrard, Didi Hamann and Xabi Alonso.

The Reds boss is currently looking for a central defender to complement
Carragher and Hyypia and if and when he arrives Whitbread is hoping
Benitez will continue to look upon him as a viable alternative.

He said: "Hopefully, if I keep impressing the boss I will be involved in
more games this season.

"I just have to keep on working hard in training and when I get a chance
in games like I did against Kaunas."

Although Hyypia and Carragher are blocking Whitbread's route into the
first team that hasn't stopped them from giving the young pretender some
helpful advice.

"Every day in training I pick up things from Sami and Carra, they are
always giving me advice and telling me what I am doing well and what I
need to improve upon.

"It's exactly the same in games. Even when they are not giving me advice
I am picking things up from them just from the way they play and the way
they position themselves.

"To be honest, something would have to be going badly wrong if you
couldn't learn from those two."

This pre-season Whitbread has not been the only recent graduate from the
Academy to be given an extended run in the first team set-up.

Darren Potter and Stephen Warnock have also been given opportunities to
impress as Benitez finalises his plans for the forthcoming campaign at
home and abroad.

All three have done their chances no harm with steady performances which
have proved without doubt that they are in the squad on merit.

Whitbread added: "It's good that there are a few of us in the squad
together because we have known each other for a long time and we can
help each other out."

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