Time new owners showed Rafa the money

May 25 2007 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

SIMILARITIES between a journeyman striker called Barry Endean and a world renowned marksman called Filipo Inzaghi begin and end with their shirt number.

But a goal from the first caused Liverpool's first truly great manager to rip up an Anfield institution and start afresh.

Two goals from the latter, meanwhile, have convinced the latest he may need to do the same.

The modern Anfield era has been described as a golden age - and two Champions League finals in three seasons, plus an FA Cup success, mount a pretty strong argument.

But Rafael Benitez's ambition is Caesaraen in its scale.

He has already conquered Europe, but like the doomed Roman emperor, he now wants to suppress the rival tribes back home too.

Which is why he spoke this week of what amounts to an, excuse the pun, Rafalution.

And his allies in this sweeping summer of change will be two Americans who have barely got their feet under the Anfield table.

Benitez knows that the side which failed so courageously in Athens is not good enough.

Good enough to win a European Cup, certainly, but not good enough to prove themselves the best in their own back yard over nine months.

The reality of what is needed to put Liverpool on the same level, financially, as Chelsea, Manchester United and perhaps Arsenal will soon dawn on the new owners.

George Gillett hugged Benitez as he walked to claim his losers' medal in the Olympic Stadium, while Tom Hicks looked disconsolate.

These two sharp American businessmen may know how to operate State-side with more familiar sports, but competing now with the best of European soccer may test their financial muscle to the limits.

Gillett was seen on television prior to the game being asked what it would take to make Liverpool truly great again, and he theatrically pulled a stack of greens from his pocket and threw them into the air.

Benitez will now use a phrase from another American artistical vehicle, the film Jerry Maguire.

“Show me the money”.

The team Benitez has taken to two European finals needs major restructuring. Players who have been good servants will need replacing.

The shockwaves reverberated around the team hotel at lunchtime yesterday as players asked exactly what their manager had told the world's media.

The scale of what Benitez will ask of Hicks and Gillett surprised them.

Liverpool need a 30-goal a season man like Didier Drogba to rebuild - and they do not come cheap.

Benitez had been told he could have in excess of £40 million to spend, but that figure is now hopelessly out of date.

A Drogba would wipe out almost all that on his own. Big players who score lots of goals cost big amounts.

Whether Gillett and Hicks can come up with that much for new players could be an outlay they are not really prepared for. How Benitez's relationship develops now with them remains to be seen.

He fell out badly with Valencia at this point of their development and soon left.

Liverpool always seem to sneer at Chelsea's massive outlay, but to compete they will have to spend, spend, spend themselves.

Benitez pointed out post-match in Athens that Manchester United have just spent £20m on Owen Hargreaves, and for Liverpool to compete they must start spending similar mounts on players.

Benitez will ask himself one question as the preparations for next season start. How many of my squad are capable of winning the Premier League?

Take away Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Jose Reina, Javier Mascherano and possibly the improving Daniel Agger, and the answer is probably none.

Steve Finnan is dependable but unspectacular, while John Arne Riise has been a fine servant but is not going to get any better.

Xabi Alonso could well be looking towards a move to Barcelona anyway, although he has two years of his contract left.

Jermaine Pennant sparkled on Wednesday, but he must prove he can produce that level of performance consistently if he is to survive, let alone flourish at Anfield.

Bolo Zenden, Mohamed Sissoko, Craig Bellamy, Harry Kewell, Mark Gonzalez, an ageing Sami Hyypia and the limited Alvaro Arbeloa do not have the mark of champions.

Zenden, Gonzalez and Bellamy are already close to the Anfield exit door anyway. More will follow.

Benitez covets Samuel Eto'o, but he could cost £30m. David Villa the same.

There is a wind of change blowing through Anfield this summer. No, make that a whirlwind.

The same thing happened 37 years ago, when a sporadically successful Liverpool team became the most dominant trophy-winning machine this country has ever seem.

A little known striker called Barry Endean was partly culpable.

Could Pipo Inzaghi be the same catalyst this time?