Benitez defends costly Johnson capture

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has defended his decision to pay over the odds for right-back Glen Johnson, even though he admitted the deal has cost him more than he had hoped.

The Portsmouth defender agreed to move to Anfield on Monday and is expected to formally sign a contract in the next couple of days.

Reports suggest the transfer is costing £17million (€20m), although much of that will be written off because of money still owed by Pompey after Peter Crouch’s move to Fratton Park last summer.

Chelsea tried to take their former player back to Stamford Bridge but Benitez was always confident the England international would choose Anfield – even if it was at a premium.

“Sometimes you have to spend alittle bit more,” said the Liverpool boss.

“You can’t compete in the top four of the Premier League unless you spend some money. We were looking for a player of quality and also somebody who is British because of the new Champions League rules.

“Glen Johnson fits both categories.”

The fact Benitez has been able to make his first summer signing will help fend off claims the club are in financial trouble.

Kop Holdings, the club’s parent company, posted a £42.6m (€50m) loss in the year to August 2008 but concerns over the £350m (€408m) loan taken out by American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to buy Liverpool appear to have lessened after reports yesterday suggested a refinancing package had been agreed.

Benitez is confident he will make other signings, although he may spend more of his time trying to hang on to the likes of Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Javier Mascherano who have all been linked with moves to Real Madrid and Barcelona.

However the Liverpool boss will be somewhat concerned though by Mascherano’s admission he is flattered by Barcelona and Real Madrid’s interest in him.

Both Barca and Madrid have been strongly linked to the Argentina captain as they look to strengthen their squads this summer, and the Liverpool man has taken great pride from that.

“It’s really flattering. For me it means great recognition because we are talking about big clubs,” said Mascherano, who still has three years left on his contract at Anfield.

“I feel comfortable at Liverpool, but it’s always good to know that teams like Barca and Madrid are interested in you. I feel very grateful.”

Meanwhile Liverpool have stressed they remain committed to the club’s television channel despite the collapse of Setanta, the platform on which it was broadcast.

Liverpool will continue to broadcast via their website and are hopeful of getting the channel back on television screens as soon as possible.

“LFC TV is currently broadcasting as normal and will continue to do so until further notice,” said a club statement.

“However, following the announcement that Setanta GB is no longer trading, there may be some disruption to our service for UK television viewers.

“While we continue to produce live and pre-recorded content for the channel as normal, we are urgently investigating all possibilities available to us in returning to broadcasting in the British Isles as quickly as possible.”