Squad ready for winter test, says Benitez

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez believes this season’s squad is better equipped to cope with the rigours of a hectic Premiership winter.

December and January, when matches come thick and fast over the festive period, can often have a significant effect on a club’s campaign.

Liverpool moved into the top four for the first time this season after their 4-0 win over Fulham, and with all their games in the next five weeks against teams below them in the league they have a real opportunity to strengthen their position. However, during that time they also have to face Arsenal in a Carling Cup quarter-final and FA Cup third-round tie.

In previous years the quality of the squad may have been exposed but Benitez feels his crop of players have the credentials to withstand the physical test ahead.

“I think it is important for everybody because we will play a lot of games in a short space of time,” said the Spaniard. “Sometimes we will play without the players being really fit because physically it is impossible for them to play two games in two days or something.

“But that is the reason for the squad and that could be the difference this season. The squad we have means that we have more options in different areas.

“However, I think they can be better. I think we can improve in certain areas, the last pass for example.”

The flexibility of the players was demonstrated against Fulham with defender Jamie Carragher an unlikely goalscorer — his first in the league for nearly eight years — and fellow centre-back Daniel Agger setting up two goals, one with a cross from the left wing.

Benitez was full of praise for his Danish defender, saying: “Daniel is a player with quality and good intelligence. He is also calm in defence.”

Much of the talk around Anfield is of the proposed £450million (about 665m) takeover by Dubai International Capital, the investment arm of the Dubai government whose ruler is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the world’s fifth-richest man.

Should the bid succeed, Benitez would have an enviable transfer fund at his disposal to challenge Chelsea and Manchester United.

But even so, the Spaniard is keen for the club to retain links with the community by bringing through local players like Carragher and another of Saturday’s goalscorers Steven Gerrard.

“It’s important for all clubs to invest in youngsters because they can end up being the spine of the team,” said Benitez.

“If you want to win — and that’s the tradition of the club — then you have to keep bringing the young players through and players who can help take you to another level.”