Premier League - Benitez: We won't buy Silva

Eurosport - Fri, 27 Mar 19:04:00 2009

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has denied reports he is set to sign Valencia star David Silva.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 La Liga David Silva (Valencia) mejora de su lesión - 0

The attack-minded midfielder has long been linked with a transfer to Anfield and speculation has increased due to Liverpool's limited offensive options.

It was thought that Benitez was keen to add Silva, 23, to the Spanish backbone of his side which already includes Jose Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Albert Riera, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres.

However, in the face of growing rumours, the former Mestalla boss has ruled out a bid to tempt cash-strapped Valencia to part with one of their most valuable assets.

"We will not be signing him," Benitez told Liverpool's official website when asked about the prospect of a close-season approach for Silva.

But with Torres the only recognised, experienced striker on Liverpool's books, it remains likely that attacking reinforcements will arrive in the summer.

And Benitez has confirmed that behind-the-scenes work is taking place as plans begin for new arrivals.

"We are working hard, talking with the scouting department and looking at names and options for next season," he added.

"It's still too soon, but we are working hard."

Meanwhile, Benitez remains cautious regarding Liverpool's chances of lifting the Premier League title, despite closing to within one point of leaders Manchester United.

He said: "Football can change very quickly and that is why we say it is important to just take one game at a time.

"Everything can change each week and maybe next week we can be at the top again.

"My message to the fans is to keep calm. I can see the people have a lot of confidence at the moment and that is good. We have to stay positive and see what happens."

Sporting Life / Eurosport

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  1. nils_oberg, I did indeed watch the Euros 2009 and based­ on what I saw I was hardly convinced. They both need to­ play number 10, Torres in fact and throughout his time­ at LFC and Atletico prefers being the lone striker with­ someone playing just behind him.

    From i_simmins, on Tue 31 Mar 7:06PM

  2. for all u loserpool fans
    U WISH @#$%
    _ _ || _ _

    From dan.neagu, on Tue 31 Mar 6:15AM

  3. i_simmins you are joking about Torres and Villa not­ doing well in the national squad right? Did you even­ watch the Euro Champs? Torres and Villa know each other­ in and out and work really well as strikers.

    From nils_oberg, on Tue 31 Mar 2:11AM

  4. silva is a versatile attacking player, but i would­ prefer 2 see some homegrown talent brought in,­ especially if this new ruling comes in that you have 2­ have 5 british players in the starting lineup.

    From gordyheg, on Mon 30 Mar 11:49PM

  5. 90% of you talk nonsense you band wagon jumpers

    From gingerkop, on Mon 30 Mar 11:01PM

  6. I agree that someone like Klose would be a great­ addition to the squad, but I am not so sure about­ Villa, he and Torres dont too well in the national­ squad, then again Rafa being Rafa might very well be­ the catalyst to bring the best out of the two of them­ as a strike partnership.

    From i_simmins, on Mon 30 Mar 7:52PM

  7. who needs silva when we have riera

    From Frosty, on Mon 30 Mar 7:09PM

  8. rafa should think of bring in these players: aguero,­ villa, silva, alboil, sneijder, klose now obviously­ rafa cant buy all of them but he should focus on­ another striker instead of wingers at the moment , ­ getting villa would be great but the formation would­ need to change to a 4-4-2, aguero is a young world­ class striker, silva great winger, sneijder great­ midfielder and klose a back up striker, rafa will have­ 95 mill to spend over the summer so hopefully he spends­ it wisely cmon LIVERPOOL!!!

    From Alex Z, on Mon 30 Mar 9:50AM

  9. At this moment Liverpool has a great squad that they­ can develop even more. they do have enough for the next­ coming two years even if we talk about possible­ injuries, they do have back ups. They may get one more­ or two just to secure any sudden big problems like­ having five critical players injured at one time or­ so...

    From Joe Y, on Mon 30 Mar 8:29AM

  10. get rid of lucas then buy a striker thats all we need­ at the moment

    From TREVOR, on Mon 30 Mar 5:55AM

  11. sergio augero from athletico madrid. sign him please­ rafa.

    From Howard, on Sun 29 Mar 11:12PM

  12. I think the headline should have been:" We­ CAN'T buy Silva " . Liverpool were never in a­ strong position to buy Silva in the first place. The­ player himself has said that does NOT want to go to the­ EPL !!

    From Tim, on Sat 28 Mar 10:27PM

  13. To Tim it's good we're bringing in the­ spainards, they're the best team in the world at­ the moment so Benitez start getting some strikers in­ and stop worrying about defence. All the rumours­ (except this one) that I'm hearing are for­ defenders!!!

    From Jerome O, on Sat 28 Mar 7:28PM

  14. To peter.mcaloon:
    I agree, he wasn't brazil's­ U21 captain for nothing and he had the best player­ award or something like it in brazil. so he's got­ the stuff and we should support him to show it.

    From yassine, on Sat 28 Mar 5:17PM

  15. Lucas is coming along give the lad a chance i don't­ think hes going anywhere soon so give him some support­ and confidence.call urself supporters. liverpool fans­ support there team through anything get a grip or go­ support the mancs cos we dont want­ u!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From peter.mcaloon, on Sat 28 Mar 4:10PM

  16. its doubtful silva will arrive he has said he doesn,t­ want to play in epl torres doesn,t score that many­ playing along side villa as for tevez saf couldn,t­ stop him joining as man u dont own him and they dont­ want to pay msl 30 million for him ,get rid of lucas if­ he played pass the parcel he would drop it

    From zynky, on Sat 28 Mar 3:58PM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Could someone ask benitez why is he not going 2 buy­ silva and someone better tell him 2 get a num 10 as­ well

    From stanley, on Sat 28 Mar 3:24PM

  18. hope benitez could buy "no.10" player.

    From waRdy, on Sat 28 Mar 2:51PM

  19. Tevez would not be able to join L'pool, since SAF­ would never allow such a transfer (e.g. Heinze).

    Good­ player though... and actually exactly what L'pool­ need to shore up the offence.

    From Toh Yong, on Sat 28 Mar 1:51PM

  20. I quote "Liverpool´s limited offensive­ options". Where does that leave the rest as­ Liverpool are top scorers in the prem? You might­ interpret that as saying that Rafa is the best manager­ in the prem if he is getting more goals out of the team­ with the "limited offensive options" No?

    From Frank, on Sat 28 Mar 1:12PM
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