By Redsfan
June 16 2005

Rafa Benitez want’s players who have not only ability but the passion of Jamie Carragher. He said: "I want to go to the market thinking about players with passion as well as ability, then I know that we will do better things in the future. "My plan is to improve the reserve team for next season and to have some more players ready for the first team.
"As a big club you need to increase your level to look for the best players in the world, and we are trying to find some players for different positions. But the most important thing is to find skilful players and players with character.
"If we want to increase our level away from home we need that type of player to suit our style of play.
"You need players like Jamie Carragher, for example, with passion. We are trying to find, if possible, both.
“I have said many times Carragher has been the best defender in England this season - he is maybe more important than John Terry at Chelsea."
Carragher whose place seems to be assured takes nothing for granted though.
Jamie said:
"Playing for Liverpool always puts you under pressure because you realise the club is always going to be linked with good players," he explained.

"They're one of the top clubs in Europe and always looking to improve the team. But you only have to look at the Treble team.
"The players had great success, but a season after that, half the team was gone and now the club is looking to improve again. My motivation is just to make sure I am always in the team whoever they bring in.
"We want to qualify for the Champions League group stages, but we also want to challenge for the league next time."

Rafa’s aim is also to improve output from players who’ve been out with injury or weren’t as fit as they could have been.
He went on:
"Cisse is a quick player. We need to see that when he is fit and that, hopefully, will be next season.
"Morientes has not really been fit because he went six months without playing at Real Madrid. But we have confidence in him because he is a skilful player who is good in the air.
"Here in England it is more physical, and he needs to improve his physical level, but we will see the best of Fernando next season.
"Luis Garcia scored good goals in Spain. He scored 16 goals for me when I managed Tenerife in the second division, and he likes to score more.
"Steven Gerrard is a key player for us. He's the captain, but although he's so good, he can play better.
"I am sure he is not very happy with his season because he knows that he can play better.
"We lost Gerrard and Xabi for three months and it was difficult for Steve with all the rumours circulating about his future. But next season will be different for both of them."