Benitez cools Agger rumours
23 Sep 2008 - 09:53:06
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has dismissed rumours suggesting that centre-half Daniel Agger is unhappy at Anfield after losing his first-team starting spot.
The 23-year-old Denmark international missed most of last season due to a foot injury and has had to play second fiddle to Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel in the opening weeks of the new campaign.
Benitez told the Daily Post: "I have been talking to Daniel and he is ready, focused and really happy here.
"I was on the flight to Marseille and I was thinking about we need to offer him a new contract. I was surprised when we landed and read some comments in the press.
"I spoke to him and he said 'no problem, I am really happy here'.
"I am really pleased with him and I have a lot of confidence in him. He knows that we are playing well, that Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel are playing well and that maybe he needs to wait.
"I said that Daniel is one of the best centre-backs we have when he is fit and if he is fit it will be difficult for me. He needs games.
"Clearly we missed Daniel Agger last season. He is a centre-back, but good on the ball and a threat to the other team too."
Agger moved to Anfield at the start of 2006 from Brondby, but has been restricted to just over 50 appearances for the Reds due to his injury woes.