Rafa's Scouse Heart

January 31, 2006

RAFAEL BENITEZ wants a Scouse heart in his European Cup winning squad.

Robbie Fowler was unveiled at Anfield yesterday, joining Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Steven Warnock as the locals in a multi-national squad.

And the Reds' boss explained that it was important for him to have more locally based players at Anfield.

"One of the reasons for bringing Robbie back was to sign another local player," he explained. "You know I always say that the English players have the passion that you need and they know the Premier League.

"That was one idea - and if you can sign a local player it's good for team spirit in the dressing room."

Fowler will have to wait to discover whether he is involved in the squad for tomorrow's visit of Birmingham City.

But Benitez will make changes to the team which won at Portsmouth on Sunday.

"Kromkamp has an ankle problem, but it's not serious," he explained, "while Reina has a slight problem.

"I will make some changes but I don't know how many.

"I was thinking about this game before I prepared for the Portsmouth game."

Florent Sinama Pongolle, meanwhile, is talking to Blackburn about a loan move until the end of the season.

Having pulled out of a move for Deportivo winger Victor, Benitez is pondering whether to switch his attention to alternative targets. However, further recruitment was considered unlikely.

After the draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup, meanwhile, handed the Reds the tie of the round against Manchester United, Benitez said: "If you want to win a trophy you have to play against the best teams.

"We played against Manchester United a week ago and people saw that we are very, very close. We were away from home that day, but now we are at home it's a good advantage for us."

Is four locals enough ?

Does this mean Rafa sees a future for Warnock at Anfield ?

owenthomas · January 31, 2006

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