Liverpool will get the best out of Maxi Rodriguez, says Rafa Benitez

14 January 2010 01:05
[LNB] [LNB]One of Rafa Benitez's first acts as Gerard Houllier's successor was to attempt to find a solution to Liverpool's lack of quality on the flanks. Nearly six years later, he is still trying.[LNB]Maxi Rodriguez is the latest to be hand-picked for the task of recreating the halcyon days of wing wizardry at Anfield, when Ian Callaghan tore down the right and Peter Thompson jinked his way down the left, and it is to be hoped he fares better than his predecessors.[LNB]From Antonio Nunez to Albert Riera, Benitez's judgment has been found wanting, almost without exception. [LNB]Rodriguez arrived at Anfield yesterday to complete a £1.5million deal and Liverpool boss Benitez insists he has got it right this time.[LNB] Making waves: Maxi Rodriguez is introduced to fans before last night's match at Anfield[LNB]'We were looking for players with character and a good mentality,'said Benitez. 'He can play in three positions on the right, left oras a second striker and is someone with a very positive mentality.[LNB]'He knows Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres and he can provide alift for some players. I think he will adapt to English footballbecause he is a clever player and takes up good positions on the pitch.'[LNB]However, the fee seems bizarrely small for an established Argentinainternational who was once the jewel in Atletico Madrid's crown and wholit up the last World Cup with one of the goals of the tournament,scoring a sensational volleyed winner in extra time against Mexico inthe last 16.[LNB]But the past few years have seen the landscape shift significantlyfor 29-year-old Maxi the press and fans never use his surname inSpain or Argentina to the point where Madrid were more than happy totake whatever they could for him before his contract expired at the endof the season.[LNB] New signing: Rodriguez[LNB]The problems started shortly after Germany 2006 when he sufferedcruciate ligament damage to his left ankle during an Argentina friendlywith Spain which put him out for six months. He was never the sameplayer again.[LNB]He once dominated games from the middle of the park and tore throughdefences with the sort of vision and execution which had sealed him hisblue-riband move to Atletico from Espanyol. [LNB]Lately, he has struggled to keep up with the pace of games andfailed to pull his weight. That didn't stop him being adored by theAtletico fans or being made captain after Torres' departure in 2007. [LNB]However, an act of petulance last March cost him both.[LNB]After being substituted following a poor performance againstBarcelona, Maxi flew into a rage, throwing his captain's armband to theground in disgust. The fans never forgave him, nor did his manager AbelResino, who fined him and stripped him of the captaincy.[LNB]The situation quickly became unsalvagable. Resino used Maxi less andless and the fans called for him to be sold. They appear to have gottheir way.[LNB] Rodriguez: set to join Liverpool[LNB]But Liverpool supporters should not despair, thinking they havesigned a has-been with a terrible temper. Maxi can play anywhere acrossthe midfield and is a seriouslytalented footballer just watch his goal against Mexico at the link below.[LNB]VIDEO: MAXI SCORES A WORLD CUP BELTER FOR ARGENTINA [LNB][LNB]Despite the accusations, Maxi knows all about working hard. He hashad to. He grew up in Rosario, Argentina's third largest city, in atiny house close to the Newell's Old Boys stadium.[LNB]It might be a bit of a South American rags-to-riches cliche, butlife was hard. He grew up as an only child in the home of hisgrandparents, Beatriz and Jose, after his dad left when he was young;his mother worked all the hours she could to support littleMaximiliano. The family's hard work paid off when Maxi achieved herostatus during his three-years at Newell's.[LNB]Life is much easier now, of course, and the presence of fellowArgentina midfielder Mascherano, who recommended him to Benitez, willmake settling on Merseyside easier for him, his wife, Gabriela, andbaby daughter Alma.[LNB]Adjusting should be the easy bit. Getting over his nightmare last 12months and helping drag Livepool out of the doldrums will be more of achallenge. It will take a fair amount of wing wizardry.[LNB] FIVE WOEFUL WINGERS BOUGHT BY BENITEZANTONIO NUNEZ (2004-05)[LNB]Arrived as part of the swap deal which saw Michael Owen join Real Madrid but the writing was on the wall when he injured his knee on his first day of training, missing three months. But did win medal as part of the Champions League-winning squad.[LNB]BOLO ZENDEN (2005-07)[LNB]Eyebrows were raised when the Dutchman joined on a free from Middlesbrough. Zenden started well but two serious knee injuries meant Benitez could not justify offering the former Barcelona star a new contract.[LNB]MARK GONZALEZ (2005-07)[LNB]The £4.5m Chilean came off the bench to score a late winner on his debut against Maccabi Haifa. But he never kicked on from there, playing 25 games in the Premier League. After a string of injuries, he was sold to Real Betis.[LNB]NABIL EL ZHAR (2006-present)[LNB]The 23-year-old Moroccan has flattered to deceive in four seasons at Anfield, making just 25 appearances. Has recently signed a contract extention until 2012 Liverpool fans will no doubt be delighted![LNB]RYAN BABEL (2007-present)[LNB]Signed for £11.5million and, despite the occasional brilliant moment, has failed to live up to his billing as the next Thierry Henry. Scored 17 goals in 101 appearances. They want him to leave but the Dutchman seems determined to stay.[LNB] Liverpool chief reveals: New investors are on the way and we will never sell star pair Fernando Torres and Steven GerrardThis is not Anfield - Reds rage as club plans to sell stadium naming rightsLIVERPOOL FC

Source: Daily_Mail