Rafa First pre EPL Match 0809 Press Conference
The new season is almost upon us and Rafa Benitez has given his first pre-match press conference of the Premier League campaign.
Reporters quizzed the gaffer on everything from Steven Gerrard's fitness and our title hopes to whether fans can expect any further additions during the current transfer window.
Here's what Rafa had to say in full:
Can we start with injury news, Rafa?
We had some problems the other day with Xabi Alonso and Yossi Benayoun receiving dead legs, and Fabio Aurelio and Martin Skrtel are improving, so we will see this afternoon and then decide. Steven Gerrard was training really well yesterday and he is okay.
Good news that Fabio is nearly back?
Yes, I think so. We need these players. Competition for places is good.
You've had a good pre-season in terms of results but are you happy that all your players are ready for the season?
Yes, I think it was important to see all the players training and we are really close to that. Philipp Degen is still injured but the rest of the squad is nearly there. If we see the Olympic players back soon, it'll be fantastic for the rest of the season.
Robbie Keane was your major signing over the summer – how is he fitting in?
He is okay - training really well and hard. He will need time, as always, to get an understanding with Torres and get to know all of his teammates.
What sort of system do you expect to play with those two?
It depends on the games. Keane has good movement in between the lines but also up front. We can play with both up front or maybe just one.
How excited are you by their partnership?
For a manager, when the ball is in attack, everything depends on the players you have. When you have players with quality and game intelligence like Keane and Torres it makes it easier for me, so maybe I will enjoy it.
Are you happy that you have the right sort of strength in depth now?
The squad is better and that was my idea. We do have some problems on the left because we have lost John Arne Riise, Harry Kewell and Sebastian Leto – because of his work permit. Okay, we will see what happens in the future but yes, the squad is better.
Another young player you've brought in is David Ngog, who's caught a lot of people's eye. Is he one to watch this season?
Yes, we knew when we bought him that he was a good player. Watching him in every training session, you see different things. You see his quality and I think he's also been pretty good in the games. He will be a good player for us for the rest of the season and hopefully for the future.
Rafa on priorities
Our priority is always to try to win every game, then you see where you are a contender or whether you can win this trophy or another. We will try to do our best in all the competitions but if you had to decide which one you wanted, I think all the fans would say the Premier League.
The years go by and every season people say it will be Liverpool's year, but do you feel that this season – do you feel it could be your year?
As I said, we have a better squad, but it always depends on the other teams too. We can be really good, but look at a few years ago when we got 82 points but still finished third. There are very good teams in the Premier League.
Is the Premier League your priority this year?
Our priority is always to try to win every game, 
Last season you rested some of your major players in Premier League games – is it going to be the same this time or can we expect a more settled side?
It depends on the game and the players. Last season people talked about Torres but he was injured for two or three games and then on the bench for one or two. If you win, nobody talks about rotation. We will try to win and then you can talk about victories and not rotation.
Do you expect to make any more signings before the end of the transfer window?
Really, I don't know. We will continue working and then see.
Is any deal for Gareth Barry dead given the fact he played in the UEFA Cup?
I will try to be very clear because I would like to talk about the next games and Sunderland. Everybody has been talking and it is clear some newspapers and journalists – and all our supporters know this – blame me for everything: global warming; rises in petrol prices; everything. In this case, I want to be clear: since I talked with Martin O'Neill in April, I didn't talk with anyone else at Aston Villa. All the talks have been between Rick Parry and the owner and chief executive of Aston Villa – and they have been pretty good. If someone wants to talk about Barry in the future, they will have to talk to the owner or chief executive of Aston Villa, or Rick Parry. I was not doing the talks about Barry; I was not doing the talks about Alonso and Arsenal.
Has the situation been frustrating for you?
If you want to talk about players, you have to talk to Rick Parry; if you want to talk about football, talk to me.
In terms of football, are the players keen to get that Standard Liege performance out of their system this weekend?
Yes, the reaction of the players in training yesterday was fantastic. We were very happy to see them back on the pitch after a bad performance, and they showed a high tempo and determination. That is what we wanted to see.
And do your scouting reports suggest Sunderland are a better side this season?
Yes, they have clearly signed some good players. It is always tough to play away at Sunderland because they have some quality players. It could be a physical game but also a game with good football.
Back to the title race, and you say you have a better squad but the other three teams will have as well, won't they? Is the gap between you and them narrower?
You really don't know. We are pleased with the people we have signed but it will be the same with the other managers. For me, good teams have signed good players, and maybe we will see some surprises.
