Premier League - Benitez defends Johnson price

Eurosport - Tue, 23 Jun 14:10:00 2009

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has defended his decision to pay over the odds for right-back Glen Johnson, even though he admitted the deal has cost him more than he had hoped.

FOOTBALL Portsmouth full back Glen Johnson, linked with a a move to Chelsea - 0

The Portsmouth defender has agreed to move to Anfield and he is expected to formally sign a contract in the next couple of days. Reports suggest the transfer is costing £17 million, although much of that will be written off because of money still owed by Pompey after Peter Crouch's move to Fratton Park last summer.

"Sometimes you have to spend a little bit more," said the Liverpool boss. "You can't compete in the top four of the Premier League unless you spend some money."

He added: "We were looking for a player of quality and also somebody who is British because of the new Champions League rules. Glen Johnson fits both categories."

The fact Benitez has been able to make his first summer signing will help fend off claims the club are in financial trouble.

Kop Holdings, the club's parent company, posted a £42.6m loss in the year to August 2008 but concerns over the £350m loan taken out by American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to buy Liverpool appear to have lessened after reports on Tuesdsy suggested a refinancing package had been agreed.

Benitez is confident he will make other signings, although he may spend more of his time trying to hang on to the likes of Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Javier Mascherano who have all been linked with moves to Real Madrid and Barcelona.

"We have a plan. We can sign one more player if necessary, but that's without any players leaving," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"Alvaro Arbeloa has had a very good season but he has one year left on his contract.

"If he signs that will be good because we will have more competition, but if we get a good offer we will have to consider it."

PA Sport

Comment 126 - 145 of 165

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  1. LIVERPOOL FOR LEAGUE TITLE HA HA HA HA HA 19 20 21 22­ 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 YNWA YNWA YNWA

    From sophiecannell, on Wed 24 Jun 7:17AM

  2. WHY IS MAN UTD SO CALLED FANS ON THIS PAGE GET OFF YPUR­ BABY IS GONE C.R.7.@@@@@ PS LIVERPOOL WILL WIN­ THE PREMIER LEAGUE YNWA YNWA YNWA YNWA

    From sophiecannell, on Wed 24 Jun 7:05AM

  3. 145.Man United fans spout this bile, because they are­­ nervous. They now they are due another 25 year run­­ without a title and they are panicking. Fergies not­­ got long left, Ronaldo & Tevez gone (with much­­ venom spat by Manchester United fans, ungracious­­ inbreds), rumours persisting about Vidic &­ Scholes.­ I suspose they have player of the year Giggs­ (even if­ it was a symapthy vote) to rely on, as well­ as the two­ worst midfielders out of the top 4 - Nani­ &­ Anderson. The weakest central midfield out of­ the big­ for, left with two strikers who will never be­ 20 a goal­ men (league). They have an overall debt that­ is double­ Liverpool's debt. God, even Kuyt scored­ as many­ goals as Rooney last season. Carry on sending­ you­ jealous bile, even if you take over­ Liverpool's­ trophy haul, because of the vitrolic­ nature of your­ (plastic) fans, you'll never garner­ the repsect­ that Liverpool, Arsenal & even a very­ dirty Leeds­ side of the 70's did. If only the fans­ could take­ lessons off of Giggs & Scholes.

    From­ Roddenberry, on

    AMEN

    From darren m, on Wed 24 Jun 6:46AM

  4. WHAT A BUNCH OF STUPID, CHILDISH ,LITTLE F U CK I NG­ ATTENTION SEEKING, SOUTHERN SHANDY DRINKING ,BANDWAGON­ JUMPING, GLORY HUNTING, ANNOYING, BULLYING ,PATHETIC­ ,PSYCHOPATHIC, LONELY, SAD, LYING, MANIPULATING,­ GEEKY,PRETEND MANC, T W A TS

    From darren m, on Wed 24 Jun 6:43AM

  5. 17 mil isn't that much considering the prices paid­ for other players this summer. They paid more for Masch­ and Johnson occupies a position we sorry need help at.

    From bigbrother09447, on Wed 24 Jun 6:40AM

  6. Man United fans spout this bile, because they are­ nervous. They now they are due another 25 year run­ without a title and they are panicking. Fergies not­ got long left, Ronaldo & Tevez gone (with much­ venom spat by Manchester United fans, ungracious­ inbreds), rumours persisting about Vidic & Scholes.­ I suspose they have player of the year Giggs (even if­ it was a symapthy vote) to rely on, as well as the two­ worst midfielders out of the top 4 - Nani &­ Anderson. The weakest central midfield out of the big­ for, left with two strikers who will never be 20 a goal­ men (league). They have an overall debt that is double­ Liverpool's debt. God, even Kuyt scored as many­ goals as Rooney last season. Carry on sending you­ jealous bile, even if you take over Liverpool's­ trophy haul, because of the vitrolic nature of your­ (plastic) fans, you'll never garner the repsect­ that Liverpool, Arsenal & even a very dirty Leeds­ side of the 70's did. If only the fans could take­ lessons off of Giggs & Scholes.

    From Roddenberry, on Wed 24 Jun 6:20AM

  7. To the donkey who said YNWA was an anangram of yawn,­ don't forget that Manchester United is an anagram­ of NAME: REDSHITE C**T

    From Roddenberry, on Wed 24 Jun 6:12AM

  8. mancscumsters evening see your spouting sh-t again as­ always!!!!!!!

    From europeancupsx5, on Wed 24 Jun 5:19AM

  9. Sorry for late reply blue..z..zz whatever your screen­ name is, had a busy daylike... At least Rio can­ defend.

    From Colonel K, on Wed 24 Jun 4:56AM

  10. A SAY, YER MON CLEEN JANSAN LACKS LEEK A WEMON.

    From Donney, on Wed 24 Jun 4:52AM

  11. ALREET KIDS WASH OPP?

    From Donney, on Wed 24 Jun 4:50AM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    have you been reported ?

    From the silent assassin, on Wed 24 Jun 4:32AM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    all ok mike thanks, how about you ? These tw.ts­ don't get it, everyone goes on everyone elses sites­ to have banter, those who can't participate like to­ wreck it for the rest

    From the silent assassin, on Wed 24 Jun 4:25AM
  14. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    140, NO YOUR MISTAKING US FOR THE PEOPLE OF LIVERPOO,­ SEX REGISTER, ASBO REGISTER, DRUG REGISTER, SEX CASE­ SEX CASE HANG THEM HANG THEM HANG THEM, SOCUSER ARE ALL­ SEX OFFENDERS.......

    From yorkie, on Wed 24 Jun 4:21AM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    mike, give him a chance to fetch his scuddy mates !

    From the silent assassin, on Wed 24 Jun 4:19AM

  16. sad t**ts!!

    From REAL REDS boycot the SUN, on Wed 24 Jun 4:18AM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    SCOUSERS NOTHING MORE THAN DIRTY PIKEY BIN DIPPING SKIP­ MONKEYS............ARE YOU NOT MR GARVEY

    From yorkie, on Wed 24 Jun 4:17AM

  18. Isn't there an old peoples home you mancs could­ visit? Are you on ere all day because you're not­ allowed out,your on a register of sorts? Think so!!!

    From REAL REDS boycot the SUN, on Wed 24 Jun 4:15AM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Amoeba...... that's what you are hgarvey, some sort­ of pond life, stuck in the primitive soup that is known­ as liverfool, scumland, you are the most disgusting­ piece of 5hit ever to hit yahoo, and the sooner you­ drop off it the better.....POND LIFE POND LIFE.....

    From yorkie, on Wed 24 Jun 4:14AM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    mike, if you start attacking garvey and his mates,he­ will go running off to another site, collect up some of­ his so called foulmouth friends for back up and give it­ large, he's so brave !!!!! NOT.................­ hides behind his pc playing at being a big hard­ man.............

    From the silent assassin, on Wed 24 Jun 4:13AM
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