The cheque book manager a worry

[Dunny]

RAFA BENITEZ can see Liverpool's title hopes fading before a ball is kicked in anger as Anfield's own credit crunch bites deep.

Liverpool's miserly owners have failed to deliver on their promise that Benitez would have plenty of money to spend in a bid to go one better than last season.
The Reds boss refused to say how much cash he has available to splash before the transfer window closes. But when you see him being knocked back after offering just half the £12million asking price for Hull's Michael Turner, you know things are bad.
Benitez's frustration was obvious after Jamie Carragher and Fernando Torres both limped off with minor ankle injuries in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at home to Atletico Madrid.



He insisted both men were taken off merely as a precaution and were in no danger of missing their Premier League opener against Spurs.
But with Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel both struggling to be fit, the sight of Carragher lasting only 14 minutes underlined just how paper-thin Liverpool's defensive cover is.
Benitez groaned: "We are working hard with the players we have and the money we have. It is always difficult to compete in the Premier League with clubs who have more money.
"We had some money but I will not talk about figures. It is something I have to talk with the club about.
"We try to be ready just in case we can sign someone but you never know. It depends on the prices.
"If we need something more, we will talk with the owners."
American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett promised Benitez he could buy the players needed to improve on last season's second place.
He was told there would be £20m from the re-financing deal that allowed the Yanks to remain in control of the club, the £12m he recouped from selling Robbie Keane back to Tottenham, plus any cash he generated from sales during the close season.
But despite bringing in £36m by selling the likes of Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Sebastien Leto, Benitez claims there is no money for any more major signings.
Although Alberto Aquilani and Glen Johnson cost a combined £38m, £5m of that was accounted for by money Portsmouth still owed Liverpool for Peter Crouch. That means Benitez was entitled to believe he would still have around £35m to spend. But his mood tells you it simply is not there.
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He added: "To see better players than we have now is not easy. If you analyse it you have to spend big, big money to sign these players."
Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan put Atletico 2-0 up at the break in Saturday's friendly after some dubious defending by youngsters Danny Ayala and Mikel San Jose.
Torres had warned he would not celebrate if he scored against his former club - and did not put himself in that position by missing a host of chances.
When he too twisted an ankle and walked off gingerly, there were plenty more groans from the Kop.
Lucas managed to pull a goal back but it was hardly the confidence-building workout Liverpool wanted.

[Paul Marin]

Gwan laff...season soon start...

[Dunny]

Fresh questions are being asked about the size of Rafa Benitez's transfer budget after the Spaniard repeated his complaint that he lacks the financial power of Liverpool's title rivals.
The Liverpool manager is working with a limited budget at Anfield and has reportedly been priced out of a bid for Hull City's Michael Turner. Stoke's £5m-rated Ryan Shawcross is now believed to be under consideration as a cheaper alternative, a downscaling that seemingly emphasises the severity of the restrictions being placed on Benitez.
"We are working hard with the players we have and the money we have. It is always difficult to compete in the Premier League with clubs who have more money," Benitez is quoted as saying in The Sun.
Asked specifically if he had money to spend, Benitez replied: "It is something I have to talk with the club about. We have some ideas and we have to discuss these ideas. We will see. We are talking about these things. We are working always. We try to be ready just in case [we can sign someone], but you never know. It depends on the prices.
"We have to work with the players we have at this moment and keep working with the scouting department. The main thing for me is we have one week to work and prepare the players."
According to The Independent, 'it seems at least a possibility that Benitez has zero money to spend in the transfer market this week,' despite selling Xabi Alonso for £30m and buying Alberto Aquilani for £20m.
The Italian midfielder is still recovering from an ankle injury and, in the same media briefing that announced his arrival at Anfield, Liverpool also confirmed that he would be out of action for at least another month. Benitez has defended the signing, saying that the club saved £10m by purchasing Aquilani when he was injured.
"Aquilani would have cost up to £30million normally, but we got him cheaper because of his operation. I have no worries about his fitness record. He was on the wrong end of a bad tackle, and that can happen to any player.
"The point is we have signed him for five years, not five games."