Thought this was an interesting read as well. (Didn't think it was worth starting a thread considering there was one made along the lines of it here.)
Reds boss keen to bring quality through transfer window and academy
Rafa Benitez insists plans are underway for Liverpool to become title-challengers next season.
The Reds boss has already made inroads in the transfer market for next season with a pre-contract agreed with Standard Liege forward Milan Jovanovic, while Jose Reina and Javier Mascherano are set to sign their deals at Anfield in the next month.
The Merseysiders have already secured the future of their key men in the last 12 months with forwards Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt,midfielder Steven Gerrard and defender Daniel Agger on new long-term contracts.
Torres, Liverpool's star striker, said on Saturday that he thinks the Reds need to bring in new additions in the summer.
And Benitez, whose side have failed to build from last season's second-place finish and are currently sixth in the table, is keen to bring more quality to Anfield in the summer to complement his current squad.
Plan"It was the idea last year to extend contracts," said the Spanish tactician, who will be hoping for maximum points in Sunday's visit of Sunderland.
"It is the same this year to guarantee the spine of the team is there and, afterwards, try to bring in some good players to hopefully improve.
"With some players we are looking two or three years ahead, you have to be ready and prepare more or less the squad.
"In terms of the first team, to guarantee the extension of some players is enough to bring in the right players.
"We are always planning for the future. You can make mistakes but at least you have a plan.
"So if we don't make mistakes in the transfer window or if the [new] players settle down with this group of players we have at the moment we will improve."
FutureBenitez is also keen to bring players through from Liverpool's youth system and finding stars from the academy may become more important if the club's struggle to qualify for the Champions League becomes the norm rather than the exception.
The club have been criticised for not producing a first-team player since Gerrard and Jamie Carragher came through the ranks over a decade ago.
One of the conditions Benitez agreed on before signing his new five-year contract early last summer was that he gained control of the whole developmental side of the club.
He is keen for that to become a success and play a more central part in the long-term strategy at Liverpool.
"This is the first year I am in charge of the academy and we are trying to improve and bring players from the academy," he added.
"We need some time. The reserve team are doing well so these players will be the future of the club."
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6057202,00.html?