BENITEZ REVEALS TURNER INTEREST
Posted 08/08/09 18:15
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Rafael Benitez has held talks with Hull boss Phil Brown over the possible transfer of defender Michael Turner to Liverpool.
The Anfield chief has a number of injury worries in defence, which were compounded on Saturday when Jamie Carragher limped off early in the first half of the friendly with Atletico Madrid nursing an ankle problem.
Benitez is increasingly short of defenders, having seen Sami Hyypia and Alvaro Arbeloa leave the club this summer.
The problem has been made even more pressing with both Daniel Agger (back) and Martin Skrtel (hamstring) doubtful for the season's opening league game at Spurs next weekend.
Benitez has been linked with a bid for Turner, as well as Portsmouth's Sylvain Distin.
And the Spaniard said after the 2-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid at Anfield: "I was talking with (Hull manager) Phil Brown, but I will not talk about figures. But maybe I was just talking to Phil about the weather."
Benitez is believed to have offered £6million for Turner, with Hull demanding closer to £12million.
On Liverpool's injury problems, which also saw Fernando Torres limp off at the end with an ankle injury, Benitez said: "Carragher twisted his ankle, and because we have problems with injuries to our centre-backs, we decided to take him off as a precaution.
"We will have to wait to see how the injured players improve, but I feel they will be ready for our next game.
"We have two options. One is to bring in someone at the back and the other option is to keep working with the young players we have.
"We have three centre-backs to get fit and will need one more as a fourth. We have to decide what to do, but the one solution we can achieve is to work with the youngsters.
"Some youngsters need the opportunity to impress, we will see how they go.
"Jamie will come in tomorrow for treatment at Melwood, and we will assess the situation then.
"For a twisted ankle you need two or three days to see how the injury settles down. I do not believe he will need a scan.
"Fernando Torres also came off with an slight injury on his ankle, but he also came off as a precaution because this was only a friendly."
from a fan,
Liverpoolpk
"Liverpool need to get real and try and buy another attacking option I seen them play Madrid today and they were toothless up front a right winger is a must and we need cover for fernando David silva fits the bill so I'm sorry rafa splash the cash on him, before we lose our best chance to win the league in ages. "