Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admits his plans for this season were sent into a spin by Manchester United's refusal to sell them Gabriel Heinze.

The Argentina defender eventually joined Real Madrid and Benitez told liverpoolfc.tv: "Yes, I think so. We conceded goals at the end of games and drew. The centre-backs, Carra and Sami, were playing too many games in a row. Sometimes Jack Hobbs or Arbeloa played but clearly we missed Agger. Agger is a centre-back who can play the ball, he is a threat to the opposition."