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 86 - 105 of 165

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  1. Sorry silent, i dont want to embaress u infront of ur­ real online friends, I'll just go now and go see­ some real people. How's ur mate scouse hater, Have­ the police caught up with him yet?
    , lmao

    From Howard, on Tue 23 Jun 8:30PM

  2. Lmao, Whatever loser. Everytime, at any part of the day­ or night i might get time to look at the liverpool­ pages to see if there is any news, U're there with­ a fresh post...... meaning u have to be sitting at a pc­ all day, everyday{ or im that unlucky to hear your­ nonsense}. I bet u were never any good at football were­ u or even every played by the @#$% u go on about.

    From Howard, on Tue 23 Jun 8:27PM
  3. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Carragher, dead wood for years cost pool many points,­ own goals against UTD a speciality !! can't sell­ him no one will buy him Oh shock what a thought gotta­ have more than one scouse in the team Yawn yawn !!

    From Pete H, on Tue 23 Jun 8:21PM

  4. see scumchester fans on yer again,sick of seeing their­ team jumping like rats from a sinking ship on thier own­ threads!!! real reds will march on to title 19!!!! old­ red nose will retire,with half his team!!!! gaynaldo­ gone to greener pastures!!! happy days are here­ again!!!!!!!!! ynwa

    From , on Tue 23 Jun 8:10PM

  5. And not on for 12 hrs every day and not in the bedroom­ either sunshine

    From the silent assassin, on Tue 23 Jun 8:09PM

  6. don't kid yourself garvey, you don't upset me.

    From the silent assassin, on Tue 23 Jun 8:08PM

  7. Can't understand why they want to leave, Ron will­ become a small fish in a much bigger pond and Tevez,­ who said he wanted to go abroad, then City, then­ Loserfool, then Chelski, his agent can't make up­ his mind and Tevez is his puppet. His demands were­ eventually met regarding a contract but Man Utd are­ never going to be held to ransom to pay top notch wages­ to him, maybe his agent thinks he's worth more than­ he really is. Most fans are fed up with the saga that­ goes with both of them. I'd rather they stay but if­ they don't want to play for us then it's best­ they go, SAF won't have players who are not­ committed 110%

    From the silent assassin, on Tue 23 Jun 8:07PM

  8. WAYNE
    Read what I wrote again
    I ain't no Scouser !!

    From Pete H, on Tue 23 Jun 8:02PM

  9. What players have left?. U fool. I'd be worrying­ about how ye're goin to replace ronaldo's goals­ and assists and the lack of players wanting to come to­ united. What a geek u are. Sorry for upsetting u­ silent. I know u get emotional after spending 12 hours­ a day on ur pc in your bedroom,{everyday of the week} u­ wierdo. What a nerd.

    From Howard, on Tue 23 Jun 8:02PM

  10. silent - no, its dragging on a bit. I think now though­ that if Ronney wants to pi#s his career away at RM then­ let him - and Tevez at City!

    Hi Wayne

    From pegez, on Tue 23 Jun 7:59PM

  11. yeh badger

    From Howard, on Tue 23 Jun 7:54PM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    garvey, id look at your own problems and players­ leaving if i were you, don't worry about us, WE­ WILL WIN the EPL AGAIN next season and you will win­ NOTHING AGAIN

    From the silent assassin, on Tue 23 Jun 7:52PM

  13. hgarvey_21 HEY SKIP MONKEY BEHAVE,

    From yorkie, on Tue 23 Jun 7:51PM

  14. I see all utd supporters interested in the liverpool­ posts again. I wouldnt blame yee, i just took a look at­ utd posts and its all about players leaving. lmao

    From Howard, on Tue 23 Jun 7:47PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    HEY PETER H 89 FU**OFF YOU SCOUSE BIN DIPPINSPUNKRAT­ THIS PAGE IS BEING TAKEN OVER BY THE TRUE REDS MAN UTD­ SUPPORTERS HOW YA DOING FELLOW MAN UTD SUPPORTERS OUR­ WE GOING TO GIVE SOME @#$% TO THE SCOUSERS OR­ WHAT
    GLOOOOOORY GLOOOOOORY MAN UTD
    PREMIER LEAGUE­ CHAMPIONS 2008/2009 HAHA

    From WAYNE, on Tue 23 Jun 7:47PM

  16. ALREEET MAAAN.....

    From yorkie, on Tue 23 Jun 7:44PM

  17. LMAO, what a geek.

    From Howard, on Tue 23 Jun 7:43PM

  18. afternoon Donney !

    From the silent assassin, on Tue 23 Jun 7:34PM

  19. pegez, don't think either sale is going ahead as­ smoothly as the press are making out

    From the silent assassin, on Tue 23 Jun 7:28PM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Don't get this top four s'hit Man U, Arsenal­­ and Chelski top three Liverpool never won the PL­­ although they should get a special mention for the­­ amount of times they said they are gonna win it, which­­ is also the biggest PL joke of all time HA!!

    From Pete H, on Tue 23 Jun 7:14PM
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