Source: Liverpool_Echo
Signing up Anfield stars key to bright future - Liverpool FC boss Rafael Benitez
Rafa Benitez 300[LNB]RAFA BENITEZ believes the careful moves that have been made to secure Liverpool's prized assets on long-term deals show why the club's future remains bright.[LNB]The Reds - who face Sunderland in a game they dare not fail to win at Anfield tomorrow - were given a boost earlier this week when Javier Mascherano revealed he is ready to put pen-to-paper on a new contract. [LNB]He will follow in the footsteps of Daniel Agger, Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun, Steven Gerrard and Pepe Reina and the likelihood is that more of Benitez's most trusted players will do likewise during the summer.[LNB]With money expected to be tight in terms of buying new players, Benitez will have to be shrewd with any cash he does get to strengthen the squad.[LNB]But if the right acquisitions can be made - such as wrapping up the Bosman signing of Standard Liege's Milan Jovanovic - the manager is confident that Liverpool can leave the disappointments of this campaign behind.[LNB]'The idea of the last year was to get everything in place, extending some contracts and then doing the same again this year,' said Benitez.[LNB]'We wanted to guarantee that the spine of the team is there. We have tried to bring in some good players and hopefully we will improve.[LNB]'Now if we don't make mistakes in the transfer window and the players that we bring in settle down, with the players the players we have at this moment, we can improve.'
