Rafa : Morientes will improve

Rafael Benitez has assured Liverpool fans that Fernando Morientes will prove an excellent signing once he's had time to settle into life in the Premiership following his transfer from Real Madrid to Anfield.

Morientes made his Liverpool debut in the 1-0 defeat against Manchester United, a game that unfortunately ended his remarkable run of scoring on each of his professional debuts. With Liverpool creating very few clear-cut opportunities during the match, Morientes was substituted after 75 minutes, clearly showing the effects of having spent most of the season on the bench in Spain. "It was difficult in his first game but he never stopped trying," claimed the manager after the match. "It was his first game and he needs to get fit. He said he was very tired when he came off but he knows now how he must play in the Premiership and will get better with more training. The important thing was that he never stopped trying."