Tom Hicks : " Rafa can spend big ! "
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The American tycoon, who recently completed his joint takeover of the club with George Gillett, has urged manager Rafael Benitez to focus all his attention on Wednesday's Athens showpiece.
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But he has revealed that, whatever the result against AC Milan, Benitez will be dipping into the transfer market.
"I know we will make changes," Hicks told the Liverpool Echo.
"Rafa has already announced one signing in Lucas Leiva, who looks really good. I think Rafa will be a very busy man after Wednesday.
"The potential of Liverpool is even greater than I imagined when we bought the club. We knew all about Liverpool's history and tradition.
"The Istanbul victory was so important for the long-term legacy of the club, and if we can win a second so soon that really establishes us and makes Rafa's job easier to add some players.
"We've already started that process and next year we want to contend for both the Premiership and Champions League. Actually, we want to challenge for all four competitions.
"I know what Rafa tells me and I make judgements on his judgements. He has told me the types of improvement he feels we need to compete week in and week out. That's the challenge.
"In the Premiership, you need depth of players and motivated players. There's no problem finding the motivation to beat Barcelona or Chelsea. We know we have to have more consistency.
"He has clear views, and it was important to tie down Steven [Gerrard] and Jamie [Carragher].
"There will be others who follow. We've made very good progress with that, but nobody wants to take their eye off the ball for the next few days, but those deals will be done."
Should Liverpool clinch their sixth European Cup on Wednesday, Hicks will refuse to claim any credit for the success.
"I feel a little guilty," he added.
"I've told friends it's like buying a baseball team and then being a game from winning the World Series. I have nothing to do with it. I've always been a little lucky.
"But I'm just thrilled George and I have such a fantastic opportunity to get off to a great start.
"We've had nothing to do with this success, but if we win we'll bask in the glory.
"I won the Stanley Cup once in hockey but haven't won it since, so I know how special these moments are. They can happen again in the near future or a long time from now, but hopefully not too long, so we're going to make the most of it."
Hicks admits he is still getting used to the concept of a sport in which there are a number of major trophies up for grabs.
"It's intriguing to see the multiple championships," he said.
"Obviously the Premiership is the traditional one which we haven't won for 17 years and then you have the FA Cup and the Champions League.
"I'm not sure how the fans rank each, but I see the Champions League as highly prestigious and it would be a wonderful start to a new era by bringing home that trophy.
"It's funny, but Manchester United fans are probably wishing they were performing better in the Champions League.
"Both the clubs have achieved unique status, but the Champions League will continue to add to its glamour." -
Rafa can spend big
but no Top players want to come to a small club like liverpool -
Hey a small club like Chelsea has shown that money talks... Chelsea was nothing last time.Originally posted by ghimpheng:Rafa can spend big
but no Top players want to come to a small club like liverpool
And for the record, I am not a Liverpool fan. It's people like you that make me anti-Chelsea. -
Yes, your big club can sniff seats of the Champions League final anytime.Originally posted by ghimpheng:Rafa can spend big
but no Top players want to come to a small club like liverpool -
Liverpool isnt a small club.Originally posted by ghimpheng:Rafa can spend big
but no Top players want to come to a small club like liverpool
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then why no quality players want to come to liverpoolOriginally posted by Patrik:Liverpool isnt a small club. -
No offence but did i remember correctly or did Tevez and Mascherano played for West Ham last season?Originally posted by ghimpheng:then why no quality players want to come to liverpool
Does it make West Ham a big club?
Cheers.
CK -
i am laughing at your inexperience in soccer historyOriginally posted by ghimpheng:Rafa can spend big
but no Top players want to come to a small club like liverpool
liverpool isn't a big club?
they won the most awards and cups in england soccer
chelsea became big only since 2004
don't talk big while you can't swallow em. -
Why muz u always insults Liverpool.does that make u happier?? really dun understand u, always like ppl to fuck u upside down then u happy.Originally posted by ghimpheng:Rafa can spend big
but no Top players want to come to a small club like liverpool
haiz, you are so pathetic -
he dunno pool most successful club in england ar?
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What do you think? His replies shows a distinct lack of soccer knowledge.Originally posted by anhydrouscoppersulphate:he dunno pool most successful club in england ar?
Cheers.
CK -
i will not hesitate to flame him if he dares to insult liverpool again. We respect all the others team but how come we still have to face al this ppl leh. Really dun understand him.
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that history alreadyOriginally posted by anhydrouscoppersulphate:he dunno pool most successful club in england ar?
i am talking about Modern Now
if Liverpool keep thinking of their GLORY past history and not seeking to be right up there with chelsea is no way they can be great again -
haha you guyz insult chelsea firstOriginally posted by citymax:i will not hesitate to flame him if he dares to insult liverpool again. We respect all the others team but how come we still have to face al this ppl leh. Really dun understand him. -
*Ahem*... if I am not wrong, ManU is the team that is really UP THERE.Originally posted by ghimpheng:that history already
i am talking about Modern Now
if Liverpool keep thinking of their GLORY past history and not seeking to be right up there with chelsea is no way they can be great again -
talking about past 5 years acheievement man utd are not really up thereOriginally posted by bigmouthjoe:*Ahem*... if I am not wrong, ManU is the team that is really UP THERE.
Liverpool did win the UCL but their quality of the squad now do not show they can do it again
man utd only won 1 epl title and man utd fans head start to swelll
wonder why man utd fans expectation of man utd are so low
maybe because they still think that chelsea is a dominant force and defeating them once is already very good -
dont test my patience
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Originally posted by ghimpheng:talking about past 5 years acheievement man utd are not really up there
Liverpool did win the UCL but their quality of the squad now do not show they can do it again
man utd only won 1 epl title and man utd fans head start to swelll
wonder why man utd fans expectation of man utd are so low
maybe because they still think that chelsea is a dominant force and defeating them once is already very good
You say don't talk about history ma... from what I understand, history is about the past.Originally posted by ghimpheng:that history already
i am talking about Modern Now
last year = past = history
Since you can talk about last 5 years, ManU fans can talk about last 20 years, Liverpool fans can talk about last 60 years... you talking nonsense leh. -
dont test my patience to ANYONE who are not willing to stick to topic
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I WANT ETO!!!!!
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IMHO, I believe 'Pool can be even stronger and more successful if they make good and crucial signings. And of course Rafa must 'step-it-up-a-little' in terms of their attacking prowess and defending nature.
Good luck 'Pool!
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nice boot-licking by man utd fansOriginally posted by RvnRooRon84:IMHO, I believe 'Pool can be even stronger and more successful if they make good and crucial signings. And of course Rafa must 'step-it-up-a-little' in terms of their attacking prowess and defending nature.
Good luck 'Pool!