Source: Team_Talk
Benitez calls for Anfield overhaul
Rafael Benitez admitted after the Europa League semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid that Liverpool are in need of "four or five" new players.[LNB] The Reds' only remaining hope of success this season lay with Europe's second-tier competition, but that hope evaporated on Thursday night thanks to Diego Forlan's extra-time strike at Anfield.[LNB]Although Liverpool finished 2-1 victors on the night, Forlan's away goal proved decisive, condemning Benitez's team to end the campaign empty-handed.[LNB]They do still have the fourth Champions League place to aim for, but even that is a forlorn hope and would require victory over title favourites Chelsea on Sunday.[LNB]Benitez acknowledged there is plenty of work ahead if Liverpool are to regain their former status.[LNB]He said: "Someone said we needed four or five players. I would more or less agree with that. That is what we have to do.[LNB]"Liverpool is a massive club. There has been a change in the last two or three years. We have had to balance the books and manage in this way.[LNB]"I do not know whether I will have any funds. We will find out in the summer. But the name is there and we have to do our best for it."[LNB]Whether Benitez remains to undertake such a massive rebuilding job remains to be seen.[LNB]Juventus are said to be keen on the Spaniard, who saw his hopes of leading Liverpool to a third European final under his charge collapse after they had found themselves in such a promising position.[LNB]Benitez was cagey about his future, refusing to look any further ahead than the two games his side have left.[LNB]"The future is Chelsea. And then Hull," he said.[LNB]The exit was a microcosm of Liverpool's season.[LNB]There was lots of effort and a bit of finesse in the first half, Alberto Aquilani providing the latter with a superb finish to put the hosts in front.[LNB]Although there were no more goals in normal time, Yossi Benayoun struck at the start of the additional 30 minutes and seemed to have set up an all-English final with Fulham in Hamburg on May 12.[LNB]Forlan wrecked those dreams, leaving Benitez to pick his players up once more, after he ran out of experience to make a difference from the bench.[LNB]"Everything seems to have been against the players this season," he said.[LNB]"It is clear that we had some problems. We had too many injuries and were lacking forward options. But the players worked so hard tonight and I am very proud of them.[LNB]"Now we have to concentrate and do our best in the next two games."[LNB]For Atletico it was a glory night, allowing them to revel in the joy of becoming the only Spanish side to reach a European final this season.[LNB]"No one would have expected this," said coach Quique Sanchez Flores.[LNB]"We are happy to represent our country and be Spain's only team in a European final.[LNB]"It was an amazing night. You can't come to Anfield without knowing you are going to suffer some difficult moments but we were the stronger side in extra-time and deserved to go through."[LNB]Now they must deny Fulham a magical end to one of the most staggering seasons in the London club's proud history, and Sanchez Flores is wary.[LNB]"Never trust any team that goes all the way to the final," he said.[LNB]"Any English team will be very competitive and Fulham are no exception."[LNB]
