Thursday, June 7, 2007

LIVERPOOL OWNER PROMISED TRANSFER ACTIVITY


Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has promised transfer activity next week in a bid to improve the club's Premiership record and make a serious title challenge next season.
Hicks, speaking on Sky Sports News, also made it clear that results must improve to compete with Chelsea and Manchester United.
"Our goal is to play good football all season next time out. In the Premiership, you have to be so consistent," Hicks said in the wake of the new contracts signed by captain Steven Gerrard and his deputy Jamie Carragher.
"We lost far too many games on the road, particularly to lesser teams.
"That's the goal going into next season, to try to win those games that we have not been winning in the league.
"Only then will we be able to give Manchester United a good run for their money."
Coach Rafael Benitez returns from holiday at the end of the week keen to conclude new contract discussions with Jose Reina, Xabi Alonso and Steve Finnan.
And Hicks said: "I would say to fans 'just be patient', because we're talking to Rafa often. We are going to sign some good players, some good young players.
"The academy is now under Rafa's control and that will also help us produce our own young players.
"(Chief executive) Rick Parry is in charge of getting the contracts negotiated and I think the fans will like the outcome. Maybe we'll hear something in the next week."
Benitez for one believes that securing Gerrard and Carragher on long-term deals until 2011 will help him persuade transfer targets to join Liverpool.
He told www.liverpoolfc.tv: "These deals send out a key message as we enter a crucial period.
"Other players will look at Stevie and Carra committing their future to Liverpool and understand that this means we are determined to progress on the pitch.
"When we talk to players we'd like to sign for this club, we can point to the fact that they will be playing alongside the likes of Stevie and Carra.
"Now these two deals are complete, we need to continue working on bringing in new players and keeping the ones we already have."
Benitez is chasing several foreign players, including Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o and Lyon winger Florent Malouda.


No comments: