By Chris Burton Last updated: 29th December 2007
Eriksson: Backing Benitez
Sven-Goran Eriksson believes that Rafa Benitez has been a resounding success since arriving at Anfield.
The Manchester City manager has revealed that he travelled to England during his early coaching days to learn from the famous Liverpool boot room, at a time when Joe Fagan's side were ruling at home and in Europe.
However, the club has now gone 18 years without lifting the English league title and Benitez is the latest in a long line of managers attempting to return the club to the glory days of the 1970s and 80s.
Liverpool are still contenders for this year's crown and, despite falling nine points behind leaders Manchester United, Eriksson feels that Benitez has lifted the club back into Europe's elite.
"I believe Benitez is doing a good job," he said.
"Maybe it is surprising Liverpool have gone so long without winning the league but on the other hand in three years they have reached two Champions League finals, which is fantastic.
"At any level, at any other club, whether it was Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan or Manchester United, two European Cup Finals in three years would be a top achievement."
Eriksson is currently in the process of attempting to lift his own side into the UEFA Champions League and has been promised funds to strengthen in the January transfer window, something which the Swede feels is essential if City are to continue their fine form this season.
"We have a good squad but if you look at the big four, they have bigger squads with quality all over," said Eriksson.
"But we will have that in the future too. That is a must if you want to play European football.
"If you try another way, you might do well in Europe and badly in the league.
"But if you want to hold a certain level in both, you must have a big squad."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 10th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Aston Villa vs West Brom |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man City |
| 17:30 | Stoke vs Liverpool |
| Sunday 11th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Wigan vs Tottenham |
| 16:00 | Man Utd vs Chelsea |
| Wednesday 14th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Man Utd vs Wigan |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Newcastle |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Wigan |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs Middlesbrough |
| 17:30 | Hull vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 18th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | West Ham vs Fulham |
| 16:00 | Tottenham vs Portsmouth |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 30th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Monday 29th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Sunday 28th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 2 - 2 Man City | |
| Fulham 2 - 2 Chelsea | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Everton 3 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Arsenal 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| West Brom 2 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Bolton 0 - 1 Wigan | |
| Newcastle 1 - 5 Liverpool | |
| Friday 26th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 2 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Liverpool 3 - 0 Bolton | |
| Wigan 2 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Everton | |
| Man City 5 - 1 Hull | |
| Sunderland 0 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Portsmouth 1 - 4 West Ham | |
| Tottenham 0 - 0 Fulham | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 West Brom | |
| Stoke 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool | 20 | 45 |
| 2 | Chelsea | 20 | 42 |
| 3 | Manchester United | 18 | 38 |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 20 | 38 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 20 | 35 |
| 6 | Everton | 20 | 32 |
Chris Burton offers up Fantasy Football transfer advice ahead of the resumption of Premier League action.
Paul Merson expects strugglers West Brom and Spurs to lose to Aston Villa and Wigan this weekend.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard led the way in the PFA Fans' Player of the Month awards for December.
Paul Ince insists he is ready to return to football management should a suitable opportunity arise.
Paul Ince has told Sky Sports News he is disappointed he did not receive the public backing of Blackburn.
Lazio are in danger of losing Mauro Zarate, with a number of clubs, including Man City, interested.
Ashley Young is 'delighted' to be playing for Aston Villa after being linked with Real Madrid.
Tony Adams insists that the recent criticism from Pompey fans will not affect him or his team.