標題: 'RAFA'S REDS ARE THE REAL DEAL' [打印本頁] 作者: canz85 時間: 2007-9-9 09:38 PM 標題: 'RAFA'S REDS ARE THE REAL DEAL'
Former Red Peter Beardsley has backed Rafael Benitez to finally end Liverpool's long wait for the Premier League title.
With the Reds sitting proudly at the top of the table after three wins and one draw from their opening four games, Beardsley is convinced Benitez has now built a team and a squad capable of landing the biggest prize in English football.
He said: "This Liverpool team that Rafa Benitez has created is the real deal - absolutely no question. He has bought really well.
"Jose Reina is a great keeper, Andriy Voronin is different class and Fernando Torres is so pacey and sharp.
"Torres reminds me of Dennis Bergkamp but I think he is a little bit quicker than the Dutchman was.
"Ian Rush was the best I have ever seen defending from the front, but Torres really looks as if he is always hungry to win the ball back.
"I think Benitez now has the depth to make a genuine and sustained assault on the Championship.
"In the past the problem has been that they didn't have the depth. When Liverpool had their strongest side out they won cup competitions, as they showed during Gerard Houllier's time, but over a season long marathon they were found out because they didn't have quality in reserve. That has changed under Benitez.
"In an ideal world Rafa isn't going to rotate the squad too much. He will decide on his best players and use them as much as possible. When you look at Reina, Jamie Carragher, Steve Gerrard and Torres, Liverpool have a great spine.
"You can sense something special is happening at Anfield. They looked magnificent when they were in full flow in that 6-0 rout of Derby.
"They are playing it the right way - the old Liverpool way. It is proper football.
"You look at some of the goals against Derby and the construction and finishing took your breath away."
And Beardsley also believes the club has a manager who will stand comparison with the legends who have occupied the Anfield seat over past decades.
He added: "The thing I like about Rafa is that, from day one, he has never made an excuse.
"He never moans about injuries or suspensions and when Liverpool are beaten he always acknowledges they have been beaten by the better on the day. I like that attitude.
"He also wants his team to play exciting, entertaining football - and the Anfield fans really appreciate that they now have a team playing with the sort of style that Liverpool had when we last won the title - with myself, John Barnes, Alan Hansen, Ronnie Whelan and Ian Rush.
"Winning the League has always been the bread and butter for Liverpool fans.
"They want to win everything, but if you gave them the choice then most would choose winning the League ahead of Manchester United. That's why it has been so painful for them.
"But I have a strong feeling that this finally is going to be Liverpool's year.
"They have made a super start and should be sitting on top with 12 points from four games had it not been for referee Rob Styles making a bad mistake against Chelsea.
"They have added consistency and staying power to the mix, as they have shown in reaching two of the last three Champions League Finals. This is their big chance."
