Premier League - Benitez: We might keep Arbeloa

Eurosport - Sat, 27 Jun 14:54:00 2009

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists the signing of Glen Johnson does not mean Alvaro Arbeloa's days at Anfield are numbered.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Liverpool Alvaro Arbeloa - 0

England right-back Johnson, 24, completed his move from Portsmouth on Friday for a fee believed to be £17million, although much of that will be offset by money still owed from Peter Crouch's transfer to Fratton Park last summer.

Johnson's arrival increases the likelihood of Arbeloa leaving this summer, but Benitez has not ruled out the possibility of the 26-year-old staying.

"Arbeloa was a good player for us last year. He has one year left on his contract and we have offered him an extension and we're talking," Benitez said.

He added: "He is our player but if there is a good offer we have to consider it.

"We have two or three clubs asking about him. He would like to stay but he knows the competition will be hard."

Benitez has already accepted he paid over the odds for Johnson, but stressed there were many factors which made the deal the right one for the club.

After after a summer which has already seen the £59million transfer of Kaka - and the £80million move of Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid the Liverpool boss is happy with the outlay on his first signing of the summer.

"We knew the market was going to be difficult this summer and some of it has been crazy," said Benitez.

"Manchester City and Chelsea were there - they were making offers. We had to be quick and the club acted quickly.

"It was down to the player whether he chose us or City or Chelsea and he chose us. It was very clear from talking to him that he wanted to play for Liverpool."

PA Sport / Eurosport

Comment 4 - 23 of 23

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  1. Arbeloa is a quality defender who can also play left­ back and with Insua not being ready yet, Dossena just­ being plain @#$% and Aurelio being injury prone we he­ will get games there, there's talk of him being­ wanted by Real Madrid but personally would rather­ compete with Johnson rather than Ramos if I was him.­ Players going will/Should be Itandje, Dossena,Pennant­ and Voronin we should get around £9mill for that lot­ which pays for what Johnson cost on top of the Crouch­ settlement.I think we should sign 2 more players in­ Bentley who despite having a poor season is a very good­ player and a great crosser for Torres' and­ Kuyt's ariel abilities and would probably be­ available for about £8-9mill and Bent from spurs aswell­ who has proven for both Charlton and Spurs he can cut­ it in the premier league and again would be available­ for about £12mill.All this talk of Silva,Villa and the­ like is pointless if we haven't the money and­ besides look at big money signings in recent­ seasons...Shevchenko,Berbatov,Nani,Robinho,Keane and­ jo...all who have not justified their fees.Another­ bonus is the fact Bentley and Bent are English which­ can help in the champions league aswell.

    From resentdtox, on Mon 29 Jun 12:56AM

  2. He`s not a bad defender but nobody will care about him­ next season because Glen Johnson will be in the team­ for like all the games unless he is injured.

    From Nath, on Sun 28 Jun 10:10AM

  3. torres and tevez..
    man u will be gutted

    From Muiz, on Sun 28 Jun 7:40AM

  4. pauljudd6 - didn't your mother teaches you how to­ respect? I wonder why you pay so much attention to­ Liverpool? you're a disgrace to your family.

    From c, on Sun 28 Jun 2:31AM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    comment 2 if Manchester United fans drink cider,what do­ Scouse skip rats drink? METHS

    From LES, on Sun 28 Jun 12:42AM

  6. COMMENT 1:
    Johnson is english and there is a limit on­ foreign players in the champions league (remember­ Hyppia wasn't in the squad in europe for that­ resaon last season) YNWA
    COMMENT 2:
    Class

    From Jan T, on Sun 28 Jun 12:41AM

  7. with degen injured and finnan gone we needed another­ right back. these are the facts. arbeloa had to play­ too many games last season and suffered injuries, if we­ do well again this season arbeloa and johnson will play­ plenty of a part each, diff weapons for diff opponents­ and tactics. the newsapers make up any old shi te. ­ Rafa keeps saying we can sign another player without­ selling. the club keep saying our players are not for­ sale. As for agbonlahor, are you mental?

    From Jan T, on Sun 28 Jun 12:33AM

  8. come on you pooll

    From FARSHAMROCK, on Sat 27 Jun 8:35PM

  9. listen jimmyrice i said you dont see many english­ players going abroad you muppet

    From FARSHAMROCK, on Sat 27 Jun 8:33PM

  10. there is always going to be trash talked, I do it too­ but its only banter.. dont take it seriously

    From mike, on Sat 27 Jun 8:33PM

  11. Can I please make an appeal to everyone to report this­ loser Donney so he loses all privileges of posting his­ utter nonesense on the boards?

    I'm sure we can get­ him an IP ban!

    Yahoo boards should require stricter­ moderation in my opinion but the rubbish he's­ spouting is not only stupid but utterly utterly­ disgusting in light of the tragic loss of Michael­ Jacskon (I dont' care what you thought about him,­ making fun of anyone who passed away on a football­ board is NOT on!)

    From Fahad, on Sat 27 Jun 7:38PM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    fuss is coz he aint worth 17mil in anyone but rafas­ eyes, and comment 1 what u on about no english players­ are abroad only becks or am i missing somethin

    From Jimmyrice man u are champs again, on Sat 27 Jun 7:35PM

  13. comment 1 is pretty good.. a first on here

    From mike, on Sat 27 Jun 7:16PM
  14. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Dose'nt matter,Liverfool are Kopshite anyway you­ look at it!!

    From David, on Sat 27 Jun 6:39PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Johnson chose Liverpool over Man City and Chelsea­­ because Liverpool's expectations are much lower.­­ Apparently according to the scouse muppet bin dippers­ a­ good season for Liverpool is winning nothing and­ coming­ second. I thank you.

    From Sid, on Sat 27 Jun 3:51PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

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    From Oliver, on Sat 27 Jun 2:46PM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    BENEETAZ AS A NOBHEED.

    From Donney, on Sat 27 Jun 2:03PM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    comment number 2 sounds like a scouser who has gained­ an average player in johnson and lost a great player in­ allonso

    From bangkokblue, on Sat 27 Jun 12:44PM

  19. We need another world class stiker to partner torres

    From DJ Viper, on Sat 27 Jun 12:33PM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Arbeloa out HEEEEEEEEEEE HEE !!!!!

    From Barcelona 2 0 Manchester United, on Sat 27 Jun 12:21PM
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