Captain urges Benitez to ‘buy’ #19

Captain Steven Gerrard has urged manager Rafael Benitez to match the other clubs’ activities in the transfer market enabling him to finally mastermind a realistic title challenge.

“We say it every season, but it’s massive, other teams are going to strengthen and become better sides so it’s important we do the same.” he told the Echo.

“A lot of sides spend every summer, teams and squads become stronger and it’s important we don’t fall away.

“We want to stay up there with the best and for us to challenge and win the league and to keep doing well in Europe we need to buy players, there’s no doubt about it.”

“I know as much as the other players and you guys outside about Rafa’s plans, he doesn’t call me in and tell me names, but obviously he assures me and the rest of the boys that if any players become available that will strengthen the team he will go and buy them, but it’s important that Rafa gets the right backing.

“It (a title tilt) is getting down to the small details again so if we can make the team that little bit stronger, have a few more options and a few more match-winners and be a tiny bit better defensively as a team then we can do it.” added the captain.