Benitez Unlikely To Add To Liverpool Squad In January

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has revealed that it is unlikely that the Reds will be active in the transfer market this month, with the Spaniard admitting that it would be difficult and expensive to add better players to the squad at the Merseyside club.

Despite not having star striker Fernando Torres available for more than half of the 20 Premier League games played to date through injury. Liverpool are still three points clear at the top of the Premiership as they head into 2009, with Benitez claiming that due to the good squad already at Anfield he feels that any new acquisitions are unnecessary and would not be easy to come buy in January without a significant price tag attached.

“It will be difficult to bring anyone in January because we have a good squad,” Benitez told the BBC.

"To bring in anyone better than what we’ve got isn’t easy and could be expensive.”

Benitez had been linked with a move for former Liverpool player Emile Heskey at Wigan Athletic along with Tottenham Hotspur winger Aaron Lennon, who is also reportedly a target for Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, Andrea Dossena and Jermain Pennant both look destined to leave Anfield, with Pennant also linked with Real and Dossena failing to impress since his summer move from Udinese.

Spurs Coach Ferdinand: "With Harry In Charge This Place Is Going To Be Fun"

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Former England International and Tottenham Hotspur player Les Ferdinand, who has joined Spurs as part of new manager Harry Redknapp’s coaching staff has questioned the management style of previous boss Juande Ramos, with the former striker claiming that the Spaniard’s poor communication skills failed to install confidence in the players at White Hart Lane.

While, Ferdinand has questioned the methods of Ramos he is backing new chief Redknapp make Tottenham ‘entertainers’ again and has revealed how the mood has changed at the North London club since the former Portsmouth manager took over.

Tottenham are unbeaten under Redknapp, winning 5 out of 6 games in all competitions and scoring 18 goals in the process, with Ferdinand attributing this change of fortune for Spurs solely to Redknapp.

“At times, Spurs have been the great entertainers of The Premier League over the last few seasons and, if the last three weeks are any guide, there won’t be many dull moments this year,” he told The Daily Mirror.

“With Harry in charge, this place is going to be fun.

“I walked into the training ground today and the mood was so upbeat. Everyone had a spring in their step.

“Less than a month ago, there was doom and gloom around the place. I saw David Bentley filling in at right back and Luka Modric stuck out on the left side of midfield.

“I won’t make any disparaging remarks about the previous manager and Juande Ramos is no mug if he can win the UEFA Cup.

“But if you can’t communicate with your players and you are struggling to get your message across, that is going to transmit itself to the pitch.

“And if you are playing for a manager who chops and changes every week, looking like a coach who is trying to find his best formation and his best team, you’re going to start doubting him.

“It has taken only one man to give the whole club a lift and, all of a sudden, there’s a feel-good vibe that only winning brings to a club.”

41-year-old Ferdinand played for Spurs between 1997-2003 and scored 33 league goals in 188 league matches for Tottenham during his six-years at White Hart Lane.

Liverpool Boss Benitez Reveals New Deal Talks

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has revealed that initial talks have started with American co-owner’s Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr over an extension to his current deal at Anfield.

Benitez is currently under contract at the Merseyside club until 2010, with the former Valencia coach, who has been at the Reds since 2004 insisting that he is intent on staying at Liverpool.

Hicks, is understood to have called the Spaniard to get the ball rolling, with talks with Benitez and his advisors scheduled to start within a week.

“I received a phone call from Tom Hicks on behalf of George Gillett also. They are talking about a meeting with my advisors and a contract extension. This is very positive news,” Benitez said.

“We decided to meet in the next week and now my advisors are in contact with them. We haven't spoken about the length of the contract but we talked and we all want to find a solution as soon as possible.

“For me it's easy. I want to stay here - I am where I want to be. It's very simple. My family and I know how good the fans have been with us. The club is going forward and we have the new stadium project. There are a lot of positive things.

“I want to stay here for a long time. Clearly I would like to be here when the new stadium opens. The other day I was joking that if they offered me a 20-year contract I'd be really pleased."

“The team is in a very good position, so if I do not have to talk about my contract from now on it will be perfect.

“The last two or three press conferences I have been asked and asked, so the stability is really important. The owners know we are doing well. The atmosphere is really good, we are at the top of the league and our Champions League group. The team is playing well.”

Hicks and Gillett have also released a statement praising Benitez for his efforts and claiming that they are looking forward to extending his four-years at the Premier League.

A statement on behalf of Hicks and Gillett read: “Rafa continues to do a great job, we are really pleased with the progress of the team and we look forward to talking to him and his advisors about extending his contract.”