Strike power boosts Reds
Oct 18 2005
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
RAFA BENITEZ flew out with his Liverpool squad for Belgium today with a big boost on the striker front.
The Reds boss has a genuine selection dilemma for the first time in months with four fully fit strikers vying for a starting place against Anderlecht.
Fernando Morientes and Florent Sinama-Pongolle will fight it out with Peter Crouch and Djibril Cisse, evidence Benitez believes shows the battle for the front positions is finally hotting up.
Harry Kewell's return to the senior squad for the first time since last May has given Benitez another lift, and with Neil Mellor also close to full fitness, Benitez believes he has more options up front than at any time since he took over as Anfield manager.
"Cisse has given me the kind of problem a manager wants with his goal on Saturday," said Benitez. "We have a lot more options now because Morientes is fit and Sinama, Cisse and Crouch are all available.
"That means I can select different players for different games. When the strikers start scoring goals, it's not only good for them, but good for the team.
"Harry is also much better and his return will help Crouch and Morientes.
"I'm not a manager who decides on eleven starters for the season and sticks with that. I say to the players you should try to convince me you want to play in all the games, and that competitiveness will be important.
"I need to think about the solutions in attack, but the best thing is having all the players fit to play."
Anderlecht have lost their last nine Champions League fixtures, but Benitez is warning his side not to presume they're facing the group whipping boys.
The Belgians know they must win to maintain any hope of qualification, and that could be to Liverpool's advantage.
"We know this game is important because it could be Anderlecht's last chance to qualify. They will want to get forward and attack us," said Benitez..
"I don't care about the statistics before the game, I know they're a good team. I'm sure they will go for it because they need to win."
Steven Gerrard remained on Merseyside for treatment today but is still on course to face Fulham this weekend.
Jerzy Dudek is set to feature in a reserve match tonight after recovering from a broken elbow.
