BENITEZ ASKS FOR TRUST
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has called for 'trust' as he attempts to secure the players that could mount a Premier League title challenge.
The Reds have made no secret of their desire to sign £18million-rated Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry, while Spanish star David Villa and Tottenham striker Robbie Keane are also targets.
However, Benitez has experienced a frustrating summer in the transfer market with Villa, especially, unwilling to sell and he has only been able to secure the signatures of defenders Andrea Dossena and Philipp Degen, while goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri is close to arriving.
And Benitez - who has toiled with what he regards as Liverpool's limited financial resources - is hopeful supporters will keep the faith as he attempts to land the players he believes will end an 18-year wait for a league title on Merseyside.
"We know the situation regarding what we can spend, and we are trying to find solutions if we do not have enough money," said Benitez.
"And we will still try to sign players that will make us better. But if you do not have too much money, and that is clear, we will have to have a little bit of imagination to progress in the market.
"Everyone knows what our ideas are and what players we want. We are working hard with different names now.
"The fans must trust us, we are working hard during the summer with a lot of people in different countries working for us."
Benitez has already sold John Arne Riise to Roma, while Peter Crouch is on the verge of a move to Portsmouth and the Liverpool chief admits he will have to continue to let players go in order to raise funds.
But he insists he will not be allowing any of his star players to be prised away and that he will continue to attempt to bring through young talent at Anfield.
"We know we will have to sell some players if we want some cash. So we have to do that."
And Benitez added in the Daily Star: "But the players who played the majority of the games last season, the big names, they are still with us and that's important.
"We are trying to build a squad for this year and, with the young players, also for the future."