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RUTHLESS RAFA

On the attack: Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez

Tuesday May 22,2007

By Paul Joyce in Athens

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RAFA BENITEZ will underline his ruthless streak by orchestrating major changes to his Liverpool squad even if they win a second Champions League crown in three years.

As Liverpool arrived in Athens yesterday afternoon for tomorrow’s showdown with AC Milan – a repeat of the 2005 final in which Benitez’s side pulled off the greatest sporting comeback of the modern era by recovering from a 3-0 half-time deficit to win on penalties – the manager warned the club face a pivotal summer.

Benitez has become frustrated by the level of progress on and off the pitch since then, despite winning the FA Cup last season and masterminding another appearance in Europe’s premier club competition.

He privately believes the current Liverpool team remain a million miles from the side he desires, and is already plotting a revolution regardless of the outcome in Greece.

“The final has to be just a stopping point on the way,” said Benitez.

We can progress. We are going in the right direction, but we need to keep going forward.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez

“We can improve. The team must be pro-active. The team tactically is better, the players are cleverer now.

“We have a better team because the players are learning a lot and they have more experience, but also we can improve by bringing in players with character and quality.

“We can progress. We are going in the right direction, but we need to keep going forward.”

With Barcelona forward Samuel Eto’o, and Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres on the Liverpool wish-list, a change in personnel is now seemingly inevitable.

Victory in Istanbul two years ago proved to be a swansong for Vladimir Smicer, Milan Baros, Igor Biscan and, effectively, Jerzy Dudek, the goalkeeper whose ‘jelly legs’ antics in the penalty shoot-out served Liverpool so well in that remarkable final.

And there will be no sentiment shown by the manager to his squad this time, whether they win or lose.

Bolo Zenden, Mark Gonzalez, Craig Bellamy and Sami Hyypia all have question marks over their futures, while Robbie Fowler and Dudek are destined to leave.

And the overhaul at Anfield will not be restricted to the playing staff.

Liverpool’s new American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, can expect to find the manager looking for his influence to permeate every area of the club.

“Liverpool certainly have the potential to be one of the biggest clubs in Europe in every way, and by making our second Champions League final in two years we have shown what can be achieved,” added Benitez.

“We are already one of the most famous names in football and it is a perfect opportunity for us to take advantage of this.

“Now we hope to achieve even more in the future.

“We know that we have done really well in the Champions League, but it will be important not to think that we have done everything we need to.

“We must continue to work harder to improve. It will be an important summer
for us.

“The American owners have now been at the club for a few months and they can see what is possible here at Liverpool.

“Every time I speak to them it has been positive and we will be talking again after the final.”