Source: Team_Talk
Benitez defends his Liverpool record
Rafael Benitez has defended his record at Liverpool as his future as Reds manager continues to be the subject of speculation.[LNB] The Spaniard has been linked with a move away from Anfield with Inter Milan as a possible destination should Jose Mourinho move on after tonight's Champions League final.[LNB]Benitez insists he is happy on Merseyside but he has been the subject of increasing criticism following a season where they finished seventh in the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]However, he defended his tenure and told the Daily Mirror: "There is this legend that Liverpool hasn't won many trophies, that we have failed in that aspect.[LNB]"Well, Chelsea and Manchester United have won 10 trophies in the six years I've been in Liverpool; Arsenal, Spurs and Portsmouth one.[LNB]"Liverpool? Four trophies and we have played in three finals. Liverpool have been competitive.[LNB]"Does Liverpool have to win the league, as everybody demands, every year?"[LNB]The former Valencia manager also feels he has not had as much control as he would have liked.[LNB]"Does the manager have absolute power in England?" he went on.[LNB]"No, it depends on a budget and on the executive director that negotiates the signings of players.[LNB]"And it depends on the money you have and the intelligence with which you operate in the market place.[LNB]"Look at the wages picked up by the players on Chelsea or Manchester United's substitutes' bench: (John) Obi Mikel, (Michael) Owen, (Salomon) Kalou, (Dimitar) Berbatov, (Michael) Carrick could be on £4million a year![LNB]"When Portsmouth offered Peter Crouch more money than we were paying him and promised him a starting place, it became very complicated for us to keep hold of him. The arrival of Fernando Torres meant he couldn't play as often at Liverpool."[LNB]Benitez also claimed to have made money for the club.[LNB]"Some people say I have spent £280million.[LNB]"But we have spent £220million on players and generated £160million in player sales. That is the equivalent of a £60million net spend over six years: in other words, £10million spent per year.[LNB]"Deduct from that figure the £120million revenue from the Champions League success and qualification over that period, and we have in fact generated an additional £60million benefits for the club."
