Gerrard issues cash plea
18 May 2008 - 11:59:34
Captain Steven Gerrard has warned the Liverpool hierarchy that they need to act this summer to prevent the club slipping further behind their title rivals.
Gerrard has urged the Anfield board to back manager Rafael Benitez in the transfer market in a bid to make them more competitive with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal next season.
The Reds finished this season in fourth place in the Premier League table and 11 points behind champions United.
Liverpool have already launched a £10million bid to sign Aston Villa and England midfielder Gareth Barry.
"It hurts more and more when we get to November or December every season and have to accept we're out of the title race again," Gerrard told the News of the World.
"Every year seems to be following the same routine. The time to act is now, not in January when we're already too far behind.
"The manager asks for more support in the transfer market in January, while we're all saying to ourselves this should have happened the previous summer.
"The manager knows where we need to strengthen and the players and fans have faith in Rafa - but he needs the backing to act on his plans.
"When the American owners came to Liverpool they told the players and fans they wanted the same as us.
"We all believed them when they made that promise and it's been repeated again since, so we're all desperate to see it happen."
