Liverpool boss denies ‘killing off English spirit’

LIVERPOOL manager Rafa Benitez has defended his policy of bringing in Spanish players following his arrival at the club in the close season.

“I have been accused of killing off the English spirit at Liverpool. But I think that is being disrespectful to the many non-English players who are at the club.

“I’ve said before that Arsenal had only one Englishman in their starting line-up and they won the premiership and that the important thing is to win titles, have quality players and play good football without worrying about anyone’s nationality.

Benitez said he had tried to sign England centre back Jonathan Woodgate before his €20m move to Real Madrid. “He was very expensive and the fact that he was injured made us delay a little and by the time we’d decided to buy him Real had made an offer we couldn’t match.”