No Anfield guarantees for Agger
Wednesday, 10 June 2009 10:58Daniel Agger has revealed he was made 'no promises' about his first-team place from Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez when he agreed to sign a new contract.
The Danish defender was involved in months of negotiations about a new deal last season, amid claims he had demanded a massive wage rise and assurances about regular first-team football.
But Agger has agreed a new five-year deal, although he confirmed at the weekend he had not yet put pen to paper.
Agger said: 'In football you can't get any promises from the manager about when you are going to play, and especially not at a club like Liverpool where we have so many talented players all competing for places.
'I believe I am good enough to play regularly in this team and that is what I want to do.'
The 24 year-old told the club's website: 'I believe this team, with the players we have, will be able to challenge for many honours and trophies over the next few years.
'I think I have a chance to play in this team, otherwise I would not be staying at the club.
'And I really like this city, and I like the people who live here. It's not the same as my home town, Copenhagen, but I actually really like where I live. That is important.
'I believe if you have a happy, settled and comfortable life outside the pitch then you're going to be a much better player on it.'
Agger will be competing with Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and young reserve defender Martin Kelly next season, now that Sami Hyypia has left the club.
But Benitez is believed to be chasing Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin, so competition will be as sharp as ever for the Denmark international.
Agger added: 'Of course, if you have a manager who tells you that he is confident in your ability and he believes in you and what you can bring to the team, then that is also important.
'The manager has done this by coming to me and offering me the contract.'
