Reds manager Rafael Benitez is preparing for another hectic summer of transfer activity as he looks to mount a genuine title challenge next season.
Rafa has given the squad a major overhaul in the two years he’s been at the club and has already signed a total of 19 players. However, although the side has been making steady progress under his guidance and have in fact been the best side in the Premiership from since October 2005, he now’s he must strengthen still further in an attempt to make that final step towards Premiership glory.
‘This is a time when we must be careful with our decisions,’ he said.
‘When I talk with Rick Parry and the chairman, they know we are closer now than we’ve been in a long time.
‘They have more experience than me of what’s happened at the club and they know we must be careful with new signings. We know the areas where we need to sign the right players.
‘I know we can improve. That’s the sensation I feel now. With the players we have, and by signing the right players, we will be better.
‘Other clubs will be looking to improve, too, and we need to be aware of what they do to make sure if they improve their squad a little, we improve even more.’
Benitez was delighted with the progress the team made last season, but admitted the final nine-point difference between Chelsea and the third-placed Reds was misleading.
He added: ‘The gap between ourselves and the top was nine points in the end, but that’s not a very clear reflection because over the last games it’s difficult to say Chelsea would have made the same selections if they’d needed the points.
‘I never had a points target in mind at the start of the season. We just thought of improving with every game and correcting our mistakes.
‘Every summer is important in terms of signing players, but now I know my team better and the qualities of every player, and we know what to do to keep one step ahead.’
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