We need to be signing stars of today; not tomorrow!

It seems every other week Rafa snaps up the next big thing; a young player from abroad who 'might' make the grade in 3-4 years time; but when are we going to give up on this policy and go for people who are at the top level already rather than buying young and hoping it will pay off?

Let us have a quick look at some of the players Rafa has brought in to go into the reserves or go out on loan for a while before one day getting the odd Carling Cup appearance:

Krisztian Nemeth, Martin Hansen, Godwin Antwi, Daniel Sanchez Ayala, Vincent Lucas Weijl, Vitor Flora, Zsolt Poloskei, Dean Bouzanis, Emmanuel Mendy, Nikola Saric, Gerardo Bruna, Dani Pacheco, Mikel San Jose Dominguez, Jordy Brouwer, Sebastian Leto, Peter Gulasci, Andras Simon, Francisco Duran, Miki Roque, and Ronald Huth.

As you can see, quite a big list (I am pretty sure i've missed a few out); but when are these players going to oust the first team and break through? It looked like Leto was going to get a run of games before his passport problems, and he has since been loaned out to Olympiakos - so there's not much chance of him playing anytime soon in a Liverpool shirt.

We saw a few of the youngsters in pre season, and no doubt will again in the Carling Cup - but that's about as far as the majority will go.

Some could argue that Rafa is building for the future, but how far in advance is he looking? This season is his 5th season at the club, and if (a big if) he doesn't improve our position in the League or bring home some silverware, then maybe those American B*stard owners will reconsider his position - they have already done it before when they interview Jurgen Klinsmann for Rafa's job last year.

Most of the above listed will never get a first team appearance; as it's going to be a while before there is a regular spot available in the team; we have a relatively young side at the moment : Mascherano, Reina, Torres, Babel, Leiva, Skrtel, Agger to name but a few. Then there's the two players we can't drop: Gerrard and Carragher - so where's the gap in the side for one of these youngsters to make the step up?

I've kept a close eye on the reserves over recent years, in the hope of seeing "The next Owen/Gerrard/Fowler/Carra/Mcmanaman" (delete as appropriate), and have been impressed by a few : Nemeth, Leto, Insua, Huth, Pacheco, and Jay Spearing. Insua is now part of the first team squad, and will probably figure lightly next season, the same with Nemeth, so it doesn't look promising for the rest does it?

IF Rafa was to go, the first thing a new manager always does is let go most of the previous manager's signings; so what hope do most of these players have of avoiding the cull AND displacing first team regulars?

Rafa has made a few signings over the summer; but as with every year some are going to be a hit, some will be a miss. It is now time for the board to get their hands in their pockets (Or sell to DIC) and give him the money he needs to succeed in the transfer market. It has been well documented in the past about Liverpool working too slowly or not having enough money to miss out on certain players (Khaladze, Figo, Alves, Simao etc), and every year it seems Liverpool have to make do with stop-gap players like Voronin, Pennant, Degen - rather than going for top class names. With no disrespect intended, i doubt if Rafa had a blank cheque to go after whoever he wanted that he would go for Pennant and Benayoun.

Look at who he has bought when he has had the money: Alonso, Babel, Keane, Torres, Mascherano, Skrtel, Reina, even Crouch - they have all proved to be top class players. He has shown his eye for spotting talent by signing all these reserves, and shown what he can get if the money is available.

People criticised Rafa for signing Keane aged 28 and pursuing Gareth Barry aged 27, but if we can get 3/4 decent years out of these players and go for glory, what does it matter? I hardly think if we won the League or Champions League that people would be complaining the squad was too old would they?