Source: Liverpool_Echo
Rafael Benitez's faith in Glen Johnson rewarded: Liverpool FC latest
THE last time Liverpool finished as runners-up in the Premier League their summer signings flopped.
Hopes of title glory were swiftly dashed as Bruno Cheyrou, El Hadji Diouf and Salif Diao all failed to deliver.
Seven years on and one new arrival at Anfield looks set to ensure history isn't about to repeat itself.
Rafa Benitez knew he needed to spend carefully to ensure he didn't make the same mistakes made by Gerard Houllier in the summer of 2002.
The Spaniard put his faith in Glen Johnson and so far he's been richly rewarded.
The England right-back has lived up to his £17million price tag and added a new dimension to Liverpool's attacking play.
Johnson, who turned 25 yesterday, was one of the Reds' better performers in the defeat at Tottenham and then capped a dream home debut by scoring the second in last Wednesday's 4-0 rout of Stoke.
Benitez admits Johnson has lived up to all his expectations.
'We analysed Glen after watching him in a number of games and knew we were bringing in a player with lots of quality who could get forward and score goals,' he said.
'I don't want to give him any targets, but I think he can score between five and 10 for us because he is really good going forward.
'We have been looking for our full-backs to give us width.
'We brought in Andrea Dossena and Philipp Degen who are two offensive full-backs. But they needed to settle down in England and Degen had some problems with injuries.
'Now we are trying to do the same with Johnson. He is a player who can play wide and open up the pitch for the wingers to come inside.
'We've had this idea before, but now we are using a different kind of player.'
Johnson has been criticised in the past for the defensive side of his game but Benitez believes he will improve from playing alongside the likes of Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher.
'I think it is important for him to play with these players because they will talk to him throughout matches and offer him advice on how to do things,' Benitez said.
'I also think that working with Sammy Lee and Mauricio Pellegrino will help him improve in defence.
'I remember the first time I spoke to him and he told me he was keen to learn. He was very happy because we told him we could teach him and he is doing really well.
'Glen is working hard and I am sure that at the end of the season we will be talking about a very good defender with a good offensive mentality.'
