Benitez claims Mourinho is worried by ’Pool threat
The Liverpool boss, who also distanced himself from a move for Michael Owen, insists Gerrard’s chances of more silverware remain healthy at Anfield after turning down a move to the Barclays Premiership champions this summer.
Chelsea boss Mourinho has previously claimed Liverpool’s Champions League triumph last season was lucky, and insists Gerrard will live to regret his decision to sign a new contract.
But Benitez insists Mourinho is only talking about Liverpool because he fears their impact next term.
Benitez said: “I like to hear Mourinho talking about us, it means we are important. Maybe they are worried about us and think we will be a dangerous team next season.
“If they talk about us it means we are a better team than we were last season. And as for Steven winning trophies, he will win more of them for us...maybe soon.”
He added: “I like to see people talking about us, it means they are worried and we are an important club. And I am convinced that we are a better team now than before, and that is why people talk about us.
“We are stronger than before and we are a more important team than before.
Although Owen’s future at Real Madrid is uncertain, Benitez is not looking to sign a striker after the purchase of Peter Crouch from Southampton.
“He is a good player and a nice lad, but only he can talk about his future because I only prefer to talk about our own future,” Benitez said of the striker he sold last season. “I am only thinking about my strikers and not about the ideas of Real Madrid and Michael Owen.
“Everybody knows my squad and that I have a clear idea of what the future holds. We have a lot of strikers now and I am not thinking about another centre forward now, only trying to find a new central defender.
“The most important thing is for me to protect Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher, because they cannot be expected to play 60 games each a season and we need a centre half.
“I have said I need a defender and a right winger. We have some ideas and we are making some progress.”
Benitez was speaking on the eve of his side’s Champions League second qualifying round clash against Kaunas, with Liverpool 3-1 up going into the return leg at Anfield.
Looking to defend their title, Liverpool will probably face CSKA Sofia next week in their battle to reach the group stages.
Benitez is looking for another strong performance from his captain Gerrard, adding: “Everyone can see in the European qualification games that Steven is now happy and he will play a major role for us, he can score, pass and work hard, he is very important to us now. I am convinced that we are already a better team than last season.
“We are intent on starting in the league well and to be in the top four straight away, that will mean we will be in the right position to challenge for the number one spot, and that is why people are worried about us.”
Benitez, who has been linked with Bolton’s Greek midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos and Deportivo La Coruna defender Jorge Andrade, refuses to rule Luis Figo out of his plans after weeks of transfer speculation.
Benitez said: “He is still training with Real Madrid and that means he is available.
“As for Milan Baros, he is still our player. Some clubs are interested in the player but we have never said we are unhappy with Milan and have not said that we want to sell him.
“We have good strikers here, (Fernando) Morientes, (Djibril) Cisse, Crouch, (Anthony) Le Tallec, (Neil) Mellor, (Florent) Sinama-Pongolle and Baros. The aim is to use them all in all of the competitions.
“As for a centre half, we are looking in England and abroad, but it is not easy because many other clubs are looking for a central defender. But we have a youngster, Zak Whitbread, training with the squad and that will continue while we look to strengthen our squad.
“We still have plenty of time to look around, it is not important that we sign people in the next few days.”
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