Rafael Benitez will be telling his defensive players to tighten up next season if we are ever to bring #19 home.

“We have been really good in defence for three or four years, but I think we need to improve a little bit if we want to be at the top of the table.” Benitez told the Daily Post.

“We have analysed a lot of things this year. For example, we have conceded a lot of goals from set-pieces.

“We talk about how to do things properly and yet we continue doing the same things sometimes. We can improve some things.” said the Spaniard.

New-signing Phillip Degen (pictured) will be used as a direct replacement for Steve Finnan thus giving Alvaro Arbeloa something to think about as Benitez looks to stiffen up the competition for places.

“We can improve in this area. We also need to keep the team scoring in open play while at the same time improving a little bit in defence.” he added.