Comment: Benitez can clearly spot a deal defensively, but I agree it's
madness to even *look* at Downing and Milner who are no better than
Pennant and Benayoun.

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/sto...746020,00.html.

Seems to sum it up all quite nicely. Although we never really know who
Rafa's transfer targets are, and most of it is probably paper talk.


TEAMtalk's Graham Shaw feels Rafael Benitez needs to show more
ambition in the transfer market if Liverpool are to be serious title
contenders.

Eighteen years, and the wait goes on. The title drought on Merseyside
shows no sign of ending just yet.

We're already hearing the annual 'this is our year' proclamations from
Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and co.

But surely even those two must be scratching their heads when they
read who Rafa Benitez is reportedly out to buy this summer.

Gareth Barry and James Milner appear to be high on the shopping list,
with Stewart Downing also mentioned.

But the eight-figure sums mentioned in some quarters must have
knowledgeable Koppites coughing up cornflakes all over their red tops
around the breakfast table. More 'ow' factor than 'wow'.

Liverpool did make strides last season in terms of closing the gap on
Manchester United and Chelsea, but for one reason only. They bought
big.

The acquisition of Fernando Torres used up a hefty portion of
Benitez's kitty in the summer of 2007, but it was worth every penny.

El Nino lit up the Premier League with some phenomenal goalscoring
displays, and made Liverpool a real threat to most teams. Without him
though they looked pretty average.

Benitez already has a sizeable squad to work with, so I'd humbly
submit that he should be looking for quality and not quantity this
summer.

If Barry is really a massively better option than Xabi Alonso I'd be
very surprised - he's top-six, not Champions League for me. Good not
great, lacking the pace and ability for the very highest level.

And with Javier Mascherano already in the Anfield engine room,
shouldn't they be looking for something just a little different?

Milner and Downing, meanwhile, are hardly likely to terrorise opposing
defences and set pulses racing on Merseyside (are they really better
than Ryan Babel?). Personally I'd prefer the chances of Yossi Benayoun
(who looks surplus to requirements) winning a game with a moment of
magic.

When Liverpool were in their pomp they bought the best, only going for
players who could improve them. That's why the likes of Dalglish,
Souness, Barnes and Beardsley ended up in a red shirt.

Our man Rafa, though, appears to spend most of his time snapping up
players who MIGHT be the next big thing. A bit like getting a cheap
telly without a big brand name in the hope that it's quite good.
Except you generally end up ditching it and upgrading because the
picture's not great.

As long as Torres can stay fit Liverpool might well be only one player
short of being genuine title contenders. Just not the ones they're
currently being linked with.

Liverpool's form late last season was top-class. And for a fair part
of the season they matched the top three. Their one big failing - they
couldn't beat Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. To do that you
need quality throughout the team.

Barry, Milner and Downing might not even be definite starters next
season if they do end up moving to Merseyside. Squad players aren't
what Benitez needs - he can only play 11 after all.

The message is simple: buy the best or fail the test. Rafa, you have
been warned.