Friday Jan 13 2006 09:18
Liverpool new boy Daniel Agger fears he may not be able to force his way into Rafael Benitez's first team this season.
The Denmark centre-back put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract at Anfield on Thursday to complete his £5.8million move from Brondby, but knows the fact Liverpool paid big money for him will not influence Benitez's team selection.
"Of course it is a big job to displace Jamie [Carragher] and Sami [Hyypia] from this team, but that is my job and I will fight for my place," said the 21-year-old.
"I will work as hard as I can but I know it will be difficult to break into this team, they are the champions of Europe.
"Whether I get into the side this season or not, I don't know. But I will work hard on the training field and see what happens."
Meanwhile, Benitez has defended his decision to add yet another overseas player to his squad.
"Normally when I talk with scouts we talk about English players but the problem here is the price," said the Spaniard.
"In January it is more difficult, most good players are playing in good teams and they are playing for something in terms of trophies.
"If you talk with them, if you do not pay very big money, crazy sometimes, you cannot sign English players.
"In England now you must look for younger players, maybe under-18s. Otherwise you are asked almost every time for a minimum of £5million, but you can find a foreign player with international experience for half that price."
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