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Rafael Benitez goes cool on idea of bringing in Michael Owen to boost strike force |
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Written by Simos Sakkas
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Tuesday, 02 December 2008 |
Rafael Benitez maintains that new contracts for himself and his players come before possible January arrivals in his thinking but it appears that any funds that are made available in the new year will not be spent on bringing Michael Owen back to Anfield.
Owen's Newcastle contract expires in the summer, when he will be available on a free transfer, and one area where Benitez clearly needs extra options is attack, an issue that has been brought into sharp focus by Fernando Torres' injury problems.
Benitez now prefers to use Dirk Kuyt on the right flank, while Robbie Keane has struggled for goals and looked uncomfortable at the top of a 4-2-3-1 since arriving for £20.3 million from Tottenham in the summer and French youngster David Ngog is not ready to start in the Premier League on a regular basis.
The Spaniard attempted to sign Owen, who has fallen out of favour with England coach Fabio Capello, when he returned from Real Madrid in the summer of 2005 but was only able to offer around half of the £16 million Newcastle were prepared to pay.
Given his contractual situation, Owen, 28, would be available at a fraction of that fee - possibly even £2 million - but he will have to look elsewhere to kick-start his career as Benitez has no interest in taking him to Liverpool in the new year.
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Reds go top but fail to impress |
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Written by Simos Sakkas
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Tuesday, 02 December 2008 |
Another less than convincing performance and another 0-0 home draw to a team we should be beating, but somehow Liverpool moved clear at the top of the table.
West Ham defended well but Liverpool failed to convert their possesion and dominance into goals despite numerous chances.
Following the goalless draw with Fulham last time out, and the 0-0 with Stoke earlier in the season, that’s six points dropped at home to teams most would expect us to be beating, but the Reds’ lack of finishing this season could prove to be their undoing, despite their lofty league position.
Sami Hyypia impressed and went close on more than one occasion from corners, Yossi Benayoun had a great shot saved, Dirk Kuyt went close andRyan Babel almost broke the deadlock late on.
Steven Gerrard showed his anxiety with a handful of Hollywood strikes from 40 yards which threatened the fans behind the goal more than the goal itself. It was a frustrating night all around.
There were a lot of positives to take from the game, but Liverpool’s failure to kill off teams and turn their domination into goals has been their sticking point all season. If they don’t win the League this season it will be results like these which are looked back upon as reasons why.
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Written by Simos Sakkas
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Tuesday, 02 December 2008 |
Liverpool moved to the Premier League summit after a draw with West Ham - but they failed to produce a glittering advert for their title credentials on a night of frustration at Anfield.
Rafael Benitez’s side needed only a point to edge ahead of Chelsea at the top of the table after the Londoners’ home defeat against Arsenal.
It was duly achieved, but in unimpressive fashion in the face of a resilient defensive display from Gianfranco Zola’s side.
Liverpool applied all the early pressure, with James Collins clearing off the line from Albert Riera early on and Carlton Cole doing the same from Sami Hyypia.
Craig Bellamy almost shocked Liverpool when he struck the post from long-range before the interval, but it needed Robert Green’s magnificent save from Yossi Benayoun to keep West Ham on level terms after the break.
West Ham have still not won at Anfield for 45 years, but boss Zola will take great heart from a point built on sound defensive organisation.
Liverpool have the consolation of heading the Premier League pace-setters after another below-par performance, but they know they must produce better to maintain their position.
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