GWistooshort

Today's Liverpool-related transfer rumours........ Rafa on transfers Responding to the question "£100million for a player. How will that affect the top four?" in his pre-match press conference yesterday Rafa said "It will be more difficult to sign players if the prices go too high but we're not thinking about signing any players right now so, for this month at least, it's okay". Jermaine Pennant The Sunday People reckons Pennant will join Portsmouth for £5m. Daniel Agger The Daily Telegraph claims AC Milan will use part of the fee if they sell Kaka to Man City to buy Agger Fernando Navarro According to the Sunday People Liverpool "are eyeing up a move for Sevilla left-back Fernando Navarro which could set them back more than £20million", but are "likely to wait until summer before launching a bid". Steven Gerrard The Daily Mail says that Steven Gerrard is on Man City's hit-list of top class signings to follow Kaka. Jack Hobbs The News of the World reports that Leicester want to sign on-loan Hobbs on a permanent deal during the current transfer window, with Wolves & Derby "ready to pounce". Sami Hyypia Liverpool will offer Hyypia, who "is a target for several Premier League clubs", a player-coach role at the end of the season, according to the News of the World.

Sir Bobby Robson on the current situation............. "Things are so tough now even the most successful managers who are at the top of their game find it hard. Because of the money in the game, there are more hands on the tiller than ever before and it's hard for a manager sometimes to be able to put his vision into practice. What has happened with Rafa Benitez at Liverpool recently is a good example. Liverpool fans can't argue with his track record. He has won the Champions League, FA Cup and stayed in the top four of the Premier League against big-spending clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea. But despite all this success, Rafa's actions this week, when he appeared to turn down a new contract, suggests he still can't make enough decisions on his own. Any top manager wants to be able to identify the players he wants and receive the backing of the board if the money is available. I am sure that is what happens at Arsenal, United and even at Everton, where David Moyes is left in sole charge of the football. Rafa is a strong manager who wants the same. And for whatever reason, he feels he isn't given the same opportunities. I don't know if it is a fallout from the failure to sign Gareth Barry in the summer, but the losers in the long run will be Liverpool. If they lose Rafa, I can't help but think it will be a big loss. This is a guy who is trying to build the club from top to bottom, like I did at Ipswich, or Arsene Wenger has at Arsenal. I'm not sure they can find anyone else to do it with such passion and commitment." http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...nage-again.html

Some further comments from Rafa........ Why bring the matter into the open at this particular moment? "The owners offered me a [contract] extension and I said that we would have to do it very quickly because I don't want distractions," Benitez explained yesterday. "After two months of conversations they know my ideas. I told them that we cannot progress. We cannot keep going over and over with these things. For me it was good to do it, finish, and concentrate on football. So we finished the conversations. That's it." Clearly, Benitez will have to return to discussions with the Americans, who are expected at Anfield in two weeks' time for the game with Chelsea. "I don't have any problem at all about talking with them," he said. "The phone works both ways. It's about how I can manage the club in the best way for the future. I am working very hard for Liverpool and I want to stay here a long time. "My relationship with the owners is better than people think. So if you have a disagreement about different things in the contract it doesn't mean you have a bad relationship. We have finished talking and now we have to concentrate on football." http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...rs-1418818.html

Bascombe's take on this, for what it's worth........... RAFA BENITEZ: I WON'T WALK Liverpool boss vows to carry on - IF demands are met By CHRIS BASCOMBE, 17/01/2009 RAFA BENITEZ has vowed not to walk away from Anfield — IF Liverpool’s owners back down on his contract demands. The Kop boss says he will revive talks with Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr. But he has warned there will be no compromise on his request for the final say on how to spend the club’s transfer budget. Benitez said: “We will see what happens when Tom Hicks comes next month. Maybe we will talk again in the future. When the owners offered me a contract I said we needed to do it quickly as I wanted no distractions. “We have been talking for two months and they know my idea. If we can’t progress, we finish the conversations. “We were close. I have no problem talking with them and anyone else at the club. The phone still works both ways, but I will try to concentrate on the football. “I’m linked with a lot of teams but I guarantee I’m focused on winning trophies for Liverpool. I want to stay at Liverpool for a long time. I’m signing young players because I’m thinking about the future. I’ve told the owners what I want and that’s it.” Benitez insists a personality clash with chief executive Rick Parry is not the problem. He added: “I don’t have a bad relationship with the owners and my relationship with Rick is good. I don’t want 100 per cent control, I just want to work with the budget I have. I have no personal problem with Rick or any other chief executive. “This is about how I can manage the club in the best way for the future. If you have £20m, you can spend £5m on four players or £20m on one player. Who knows the right value? The manager. Vigour “If I have one chief executive or 20 chief executives, it’s not the point. The manager must decide how the money is spent.” Benitez’s unrest stems from the Gareth Barry saga last year, when the club refused to splash £18m for the Villa man. The Spanish boss was keen to press ahead but Reds chiefs committed £20m on another target, Robbie Keane. Benitez believes Barry was not pursued by Parry with the same vigour as Keane, a charge furiously denied by Liverpool. The club agreed not to buy Barry and sell Xabi Alonso at a loss. When Peter Crouch was sold but Alonso’s move to Juventus broke down, the Liverpool board called off talks for Barry and bought Keane. Benitez argues this is a decision he alone should have taken. On the day the Keane deal went through, the manager even made a last-ditch effort to block it until after Barry was signed. Better Liverpool’s player of the year Alonso could have spent most of the season on the bench or joined Arsenal on the cheap. But Benitez said: “Xabi is playing better this season but can you guarantee Gareth wouldn’t have been good for us? I signed Xabi, play him nearly every week and didn’t sell him. I know how the players feel.” If Benitez gets his way, Parry’s position will become untenable. Benitez hopes an alliance with Hicks will tip the balance his way, with Hicks eyeing a fresh bid to buy-out Gillett and take full control. But Sport of the World can reveal Benitez’s stance is risking dressing-room unrest, with many stars furious at the timing of the latest feud. The players want contract talks to be delayed until the end of the season so the focus is on their title challenge. Claims of a mass exodus if Benitez leaves have been angrily dismissed by the majority of players. http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/1344...ds-are-met.html

Peter Beardsley: Liverpool number 7 shirt no burden to Robbie Keane Jan 17 2009 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo PETER BEARDSLEY wore Liverpool's prized number seven shirt with a distinction befitting its status. But there was a time when he felt weighed down by it. After signing for the Reds in a British record £1.9m move from Newcastle in the summer of 1987, Beardsley was honoured to be handed the most revered shirt in Liverpool's history, to follow in the footsteps of previous number seven wearers Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan and Ian Callaghan. But, in the first months of his Anfield career, the England man struggled to live up to the exacting standards of his illustrious predecessors and by the turn of the year he had only scored four goals. In his own words, Beardsley felt as if he "could not hit a barn door", but any shortcomings in his own performance levels were masked by the superlative displays of a Liverpool team which was swatting opponents aside with almost contemptuous ease. For this reason, Beardsley knows exactly what Robbie Keane – his latest successor in the number seven shirt – is going through and the Geordie is in no doubt whatsoever that the former Spurs man will come good, just as he himself did 21 years ago. Beardsley said: "Everyone knows about the quality that Robbie has because he has proved it over the years, and I really hope it turns around for him because he can be a fantastic asset for Liverpool. "Don't forget, he already has a few goals to his name and he also played a massive part in the goals Fernando Torres scored against Everton in the last derby, so it's not as if he has been struggling badly. "Another thing that I like about him is how popular he is with his team mates. You only have to look at the way they react to him when he scores to realise that. "I love the kid and I'm really proud and happy that he is wearing the number seven shirt that the likes of myself and Kenny Dalglish wore." Keane's ongoing struggle to cement himself a regular place in Rafa Benitez's starting line- up is well documented and, in recent weeks, he has spent more time on the bench than he has on the pitch. A current tally of seven goals is a disappointing return for a player who cost £20m in the summer but, interestingly, Anfield legend Beardsley only had a single strike more to his name at the exact same stage of the 1987/88 season, having started half a dozen more games. By the end of that campaign, Beardsley had clocked up a more than adequate 18 goals, and he believes Keane is capable of doing the same. What's more, he has already taken the trouble to tell the Irishman so. "I spoke to Robbie when Liverpool came up to the north east to play Newcastle just after Christmas and I told him that he is doing a lot better than I managed in the first few months of my time at Anfield," he revealed. "I told him that I couldn't even hit a barn door most of the time and it was a difficult time for me personally, but that it was covered up because the team was doing so well at the time, and the media focus was nowhere near as strong as it is today. "There are no worries whatsoever about Robbie because he is a great player and a great kid." http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-22711596/

Today's Liverpool-related transfer rumours........ Jermaine Pennant The Daily Mail & the Times both claim that Pennant has rejected a move to Portsmouth, for a fee of £1m (the Liverpool Echo) or about £2m (the Guardian), because he wants to leave on a free transfer in the summer, although the Mail says “he may have to reconsider" as Rafa will tell him "he has no future at Anfield & will not figure this season”. The Liverpool Daily Post says Portsmouth “have not given up hope” of signing Pennant, with Pompey chairman Peter Storrie saying last night “We spoke at length with his agent (on Thursday) & hopefully some time over the weekend we can move things forward”. However, according to the Times, Portsmouth “are now considering trying to take the winger on loan” following his refusal to join them on a permanent deal. Pennant himself said yesterday "My preference is to stay at Liverpool & I am still hoping to do so. There has been a lot of speculation about my future but I have always maintained my position of wanting to stay at the club. I am happy to compete for my place here & hope I am given the chance to do so." However, Rafa said in his press conference this morning he thinks Pennant will “say yes” to joining Portsmouth. Daniel Agger The Liverpool Echo says “reports that Daniel Agger has held talks with AC Milan are inaccurate”, while the Daily Telegraph quotes Agger’s agent as saying “Daniel does not want to move [from Liverpool] actually”. In his press conference this morning Rafa said that he had a conversation with Agger 2 days ago & Agger “wants to stay…he isn't thinking about money - he's thinking about staying”. Rafa added “In our last conversation he [Agger] told me he was waiting for our phone call. I can guarantee that his commitment to the club is 100% & he still wants to stay...I talked with his agent before & they are waiting for us. The player is really happy with us. He knows we have a strong team & he wants to stay”. Emile Heskey Heskey is quoted in the Daily Mail as saying he will take the possibility that he might not play regular first team football if he leaves Wigan & that this could harm his England chances “into consideration” when deciding whether to leave & that he “will try & answer those questions” in his mind before he does anything.

Civil war could hit Liverpool FC's title hopes Jan 17 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo WHEN Kevin Pietersen went to war with England cricket coach Peter Moores, there was only ever going to be one winner. Except when the dust settled there were none. England found themselves minus a coach and a captain. Yesterday’s public contract rejection by Rafa Benitez leaves Liverpool veering ominously towards similar territory – with the collateral damage being the possible collapse of a title challenge. Make no mistake, this is not another war between the manager and the club’s American owners. It’s civil war. It’s Rafa Benitez versus Rick Parry. And, in one corner at least, the gloves have come off. The starkest sentence from the long explanation Benitez offered to the ECHO yesterday about his contract rejection, was: “The owners feel that the manager’s decisions need to be subject to the chief executive, but I know that I am subject to results and to our fans, and they are the best judges I will ever have.” He is effectively saying: ‘I know better than Rick and the fans can judge me.’ It’s a difficult argument to articulate. The most successful football clubs usually allow a manager exclusive control over transfers. He’s the man with the football knowledge, the football background and the football contacts. And if you don’t trust your manager’s judgement, it’s time to change managers. But the chief executive will always have a role to play, although that should only be administrative, not formulative. Any diversion from that leaves you in Manchester City territory. It’s not Parry’s role at the club which appears to be the problem. It’s the manager’s apparent lack of faith in him. Is that mistrust justified? We don’t know. There have been suggestions that Benitez was upset at not landing Simao, Daniel Alves or Florent Malouda, suggestions that the chief executive tried harder to land Robbie Keane than he did Gareth Barry, because he wanted to keep Xabi Alonso. That’s all hearsay and rumour, although it has to be pointed out that Alonso has been Liverpool’s player of the season so far. So checks on a manager’s spending aren’t necessarily a bad thing. But the two men involved in that process have to have a mutual appreciation of each other’s outlook, which is obviously missing at Anfield. There is never a good time for a row like this to break, but with Liverpool on top of the table and Manchester United breathing down their neck, this is a particularly delicate moment. So is Benitez playing politics with Liverpool’s title hopes? Or is the Reds boss being cleverer than we could ever have possibly considered? The timing of last Friday’s Ferguson announcement was curious – but it served to deflect all the attention away from his arrested skipper. Now, we’ve a potentially season- changing derby double header on the horizon – and we have another seismically distracting diversion. Coincidence? Probably. If it’s a considered move it would be the greatest diversionary tactic since the real life Great Escape was timed to coincide with the D-Day landings. The greater likelihood is that Benitez is simply responding promptly to a contract offer he only received on Monday night. With Tom Hicks still firmly allied to Benitez, and George Gillett still right behind Rick Parry, however, there can’t be a winner. As it’s derby week, it’s worthwhile to note the effect the lack of progress over a manager’s contract had on Everton Football Club this season. It’s said that doubt over a manager’s future doesn’t infect the dressing room – but at Goodison it did quite spectacularly. Benitez is playing a very dangerous game to try and gain complete control of Liverpool Football Club. But if he fails, the repercussions could be costly – for everyone. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-22712455/

Rafa was naturally asked about it at this morning's press conference Said he has said all he wants to say on the matter & just wanted to talk about the match against Everton http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090117-1125.htm

Here’s a round up of what the papers are saying about Rafa’s contract rejection……… The Daily Mail (John Edwards) • Rafa “will walk away from Liverpool at the end of the season unless he is given total control over transfers” • At a meeting on Thursday night, “Benitez poured out his frustrations and made it clear he would quit rather than accept the £80,000-a-week, four-and-a-half year contract” currently on offer • Real Madrid “are already making moves to install Benitez as successor to former Tottenham manager Juande Ramos” • “Although there have been claims of a deteriorating relationship between Benitez and Parry” Rafa “would adopt the same approach with any chief executive” • There is now “a serious risk of Benitez leaving” & “a return to the Bernabeu…looks increasingly likely” • Torres has said “If he [Rafa] goes there could be 5 or 6 players looking at their future. But I'd like to stay here, and in that way maybe it does not matter if Rafa is here. I'm a Liverpool player but I'm also assured Rafa is happy here and wants to stay, and that is what I hope will happen.” • Hicks “wants to talk Benitez round but Gillett is reluctant to pander to the Spaniard” The Guardian (Andy Hunter) Article 1 • Rafa “is prepared to walk away…when his current contract expires” unless he is given “complete ¬control over transfer policy at Anfield” • He “has made it clear to the club's hierarchy that he would rather quit at the end of his existing deal in 2010 than compromise” • Real Madrid, Man City & Chelsea all interested in Rafa • Hicks & Gillett “were unaware of Benítez's intention to reject their offer in public” •The timing of Rafa’s comments has “caused dismay among the Anfield hierarchy” Article 2 • “It is no secret Benítez blames Rick Parry…for several fruitless transfer moves – Simao Sabrosa, Daniel Alves and Nemanja Vidic among them – or that Hicks wants Parry's resignation for, the Texan alleges, failing to exploit the club's commercial potential to the full” • “Top of the league and knowing he has the overwhelming support of the fans in this and any other battle, Benítez was presented with an ideal opportunity in the contract negotiations to wrestle authority from Parry and…to increase his influence at Anfield in the process” • “Both Gillett and Hicks, however, are reluctant to grant Benítez terms that would effectively render him the most powerful manager at a major club in this country, namely, deciding what to pay for transfer targets and pursing them without the green light from his board. Not even Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsène Wenger enjoys that luxury.” The Independent (Ian Herbert) • “There is astonishment among some at the club that Benitez has aired his rejection so publicly – and just 3 days before a crucial Merseyside derby” • Hicks & Gillett “are understood to have been united during the contract talks to date” • The article claims that the structure which is proposed in which the manager answers to a chief executive is the same at every Premier League club • Hicks & Gillett “refused to grant Benitez the money to buy Barry because his original estimate of the player's value had been £10m to £12m and they felt they were being asked to pay over the odds” • “The Barry saga continues to be a cloud over Benitez's credibility with the Americans – one of several pieces of evidence to their mind that the current corporate structure is correct” • “Another concern within the Anfield hierarchy is the large turnover of players since Benitez's arrival in 2004” • Rafa's desire for control over Liverpool's academy “is a side issue” • “The owners are of the view that, while the incumbent first-team manager's coaching philosophy should inform the academy's, continuity, as managers come and go, dictates that Benitez should not control it” • Rafa “is hardly a frequent visitor to the academy” • The number of overseas players in the academy “is also something of which the owners are aware” • “Hicks' decision to make a public response…is puzzling, to judge by the fact he and Gillett have shared the same stance during negotiations…it is seen by some as part of the American's continuing attempts to curry favour with fans” The Liverpool Daily Post Article 1 (journo unknown) • Rafa could walk out on the club in 18 months • Rafa “is still furious the club failed to secure Gareth Barry from Aston Villa in the summer” • “Club insiders say…the Spaniard is demanding the sort of control over spending, wages and terms and conditions that would make him the most powerful manager in the world - considerably more powerful even than the control Sir Alex Ferguson exerts at Manchester United” • “The timing of Benitez's outburst has caused much surprise” Hicks, Gillett & Parry • “The manager's rant against Ferguson last week also raised eyebrows among the Liverpool top brass” Article 2 (Ian Doyle) • Rafa “could walk away from Liverpool” if he isn’t given complete control over transfers • “It is understood Gillett was unhappy that, after a joint statement was put out from the owners concerning Benitez’s contract, Hicks held a further, separate interview” • “Gillett is worried that the perception will be Hicks and Benitez are siding against Gillett and chief executive Rick Parry, which is not the case” The Mirror (David Maddock) • Rafa “could quit Liverpool at the end of the season if his contract demands are not met” • Real Madrid, Chelsea & Man City “would be interested in offering him an escape route” The Times (Oliver Kay) Article 1 • “As ever, the spectre of Real Madrid…looms in the background” • “But Benítez firmly intends to stay at Anfield for the long haul provided that his position is strengthened, something that may be facilitated by the expected departure of Gillett” • “Much of the resistance to the manager's contract demands has come from Gillett” • “But Gillett's influence at Anfield is receding, with the difficult financial climate forcing him to invite offers for all, or at the very least a significant portion, of his 50% stake in the club” • Gillett’s departure “would also raise doubts about the long-term future of Rick Parry” • There is “uncertainty regarding who will buy Gillett's stake” • “Some at Anfield were surprised by the timing of Benítez's announcement” • Rafa has “suggested a different structure that would result in the appointment of a designated person to handle transfer and contract negotiations, acting on his recommendations, while leaving Parry to deal with broader issues. But his request has been rejected.” Article 2 • Rafa “has made it known that he could walk away at the end of the season if no agreement is reached” • Gillett is “coming under renewed pressure to sell his 50% stake in the club” • “Get Benítez on a good day and he will reel off the names of a dozen players that he missed out on, having felt that deals were in the bag. They range from Nemanja Vidic and Gareth Barry, perhaps the 2 most famous examples, to the Arsenal duo of Denilson and Abou Diaby and assorted South American teenagers you have never heard of and, in all probability, never will.” • “Benítez believes that the boards at [Man] United and Arsenal would never have treated Ferguson or Arsène Wenger in this way [veto-ing a transfer target as the Liverpool board did with Gareth Barry]” • “The response from the boardroom is that Ferguson and Wenger are subjected to just the same restraints and corporate governance structures as Benítez and that it is unrealistic to ask for more” • Gillett “is known to have been disappointed by Benítez’s decision to go public with what was regarded as a private matter”

Was just responding to Mr Kite's question quoted in my post

Villa said publicly on several occasions that Barry could join us if we met their valuation, widely reported to be £18m http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsD...1335766,00.html http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Manag...1338341,00.html We said we didn't think he was worth what they valued him at http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/archivedirs...080809-2245.htm

George & Tom I believe It's more than rumours Rafa said in his interview with the Echo yesterday "The owners feel that the manager’s decisions need to be subject to the chief executive" This hasn't been denied

Rafa should decide

He shouldn't decide the overall transfer budget (which is financial), but once it has been decided it should be the manager's call which players he buys & for how much Which is exactly what Rafa is asking for The only reason I can see for others to get involved in having a say on whether we buy a particular player the manager wants is if there are non-footballing concerns about them, eg with Pennant, Bellamy, Bowyer

Sky Sports says it "understands" that Pennant may be prepared to go on loan to Portsmouth for the rest of the season http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4802607,00.html

Full transcript of Hick's Sky Sports interview........... Journalist: What is your reaction to news that Rafa Benitez has rejected his contract offer? Hicks: As Rafa says, we have a strong working relationship and we're united behind the team. We understand Rafa's frustrations and we're committed to working with him and his advisors to find a solution here. We'll keep talking. I'm coming over for the Chelsea match and we'd already planned to get together on the 30th and 31st to talk over a number of issues. We'll clear up anything that's been talked about here and now we want to keep our focus on the pitch - we've got the derby coming up. Journalist: Do you understand where he's coming from with regards to control over transfers? Hicks: Well, Rafa's been frustrated for a long time now about the length of time it takes for certain things to happen, and I think he's just trying to, you know, position himself to be able to do his job better. There are balances that need to be achieved in English football and we'll work through these things. Journalist: He's said in the past that he's been frustrated with the time things take - does he have a point there? Hicks: Well, sure he does - but we can fix that, and we will. Journalist: Are the problems highlighted today fixable? Hicks: I'm absolutely comfortable in saying Rafa loves Liverpool and will be the manager. Journalist: How do you move on from this. You say you have a meeting at the end of the month - is that where these things will be thrashed out? Hicks: George and I will be working with the lawyers to get this resolved. I am just not worried about it at all. Journalist: How will this affect things on the pitch, because you've said in the past that you're happy with how things are going on the pitch? Liverpool are going well, aren't they? Will this affect that? Hicks: Oh, I hope not. That's why Rafa's advisors have wanted to slow things down and try to take attention away from this. They want to stay focused on the pitch. Journalist: So in terms of your relationship with Rafa, and George's, how does that stand at the moment? Hicks: You know, I have had a great relationship with Rafa in this past year. We talk often and e-mail even more often. I have had a lot of fun watching him doing a great job this year and we've got a great relationship. Journalist: So to reiterate, do you feel as though the problems with the contract negotiations can be worked out? Hicks: I do - I certainly do. There are certainly no issues between Rafa and the owners in any way. There are issues he wants to work out to make things better for the club. Journalist: And as far as the season is going - how pleased are you? Hicks: Well, you can't complain at being first. We'd have liked a couple more points last weekend but we've now got to worry about Everton on Monday. Journalist: What's your message to any Liverpool fans out there? Hicks: They should relax - Rafa is going to be manager of Liverpool for the next five years and we'll work through these little lawyer issues. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090116-1416.htm

Co-owners joint response from the official site........... OWNERS KEEN TO RESOLVE RAFA ISSUES Paul Eaton 16 January 2009 Liverpool's co-chairmen remain committed to finding a solution in their ongoing discussions with Rafael Benitez on a new contract. The Reds boss had revealed in the Liverpool Echo that he has rejected the offer of a new deal. A spokesperson for the owners said today: "As Rafa says he enjoys a strong working relationship with Tom and George and they are united behind the team. "They understand Rafa's frustrations and are committed to working with him and his advisers to find a solution. They will keep talking, and in the meantime all focus is on the pitch and the next game." Speaking earlier today, Benitez had said: "The talks between my agent and the advisers of the owners have been very positive and friendly and our differences are about my responsibilities," said Rafa. "This is solely about being allowed to manage Liverpool Football Club to the best of my abilities as I see them. "I believe that this club has the potential to improve and I just want to be able to help this to happen. "I will continue to do my job as manager and concentrate on the thing that our fans want me to focus on – winning trophies for them." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090116-1351.htm

Not a video yet, but here's the Sky Sports website story................. Hicks expects Benitez stay Anfield co-owner undeterred by manager's contract rejection By Peter Fraser Last updated: 16th January 2009 Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has told Sky Sports News that he is 'confident' manager Rafa Benitez will remain at Anfield for the long term. The Reds boss has been in negotiations with the Premier League leaders, who he joined in 2004, for a number of months regarding a new five-year deal. But the Spaniard revealed on Friday that he had turned down a contract offer because he was not satisfied with the amount of control he would be handed regarding transfer activity and the club's academy. Hicks, though, remains positive that it will be possible to iron out any problems with Benitez and expects the former Valencia boss to stay on Merseyside. "As Rafa says we have a strong relationship," said Hicks. "We understand Rafa's frustrations and we are committed to working with him. Solution "We will keep talking and find a solution." Hicks insists he and co-owner George Gillett, who suffered a much-publicised bust-up with Benitez last season over the club's recruitment policy, understand their manager's decision to reject the deal. However, the American businessman is adamant problems will be resolved and he expects to reach agreement in a meeting with Benitez when in England to watch Liverpool's home clash with Chelsea on 1st February. "We are coming over for the Chelsea match and we had already planned to get together on 30th and 31st (January). We will clear up anything we need to," added Hicks. "Rafa has been frustrated for a long time about the length of time it takes to make things happen and I think he is just trying to put himself in a better position to do his job. We can fix that and we will. Comfortable "I am absolutely comfortable that Rafa loves it at Liverpool, wants to be the manager and will be the manager. "I will be working with Rafa to get this resolved - and I am just not worried about it at all. "Rafa is going to be coach of Liverpool for the next five years, and we will work through all this. "There are no issues between Rafa and the owners in any way. They are issues he wants to work out to make things better for the club." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4802158,00.html

The Mirror last week (I think) was reporting that they'd split up

Can't see it happening either - he appears to want to go abroad on a Bosman

Portsmouth have confirmed that they have agree a fee for Pennant & say they plan to discuss personal terms with him "over the next few days" http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/index.php?cm...article_id=2044

Rafa's quite clear in his comments - he just wants to be able to decide how much he should spend on each player "within the confines of a budget which is controlled by the owners and the club". At the moment Parry, Hicks & Gillett are telling him how much various players are worth, which is madness

Further comments from Agger's agent............ "Daniel is still under contract with Liverpool for 18 months," Steffensen told Ekstra Bladet. "I am a reliable player agent and it is obvious that I am not starting any negotiations concerning a transfer in such a situation. "Whoever wants to sign Daniel at this point has to get in touch with Liverpool FC first. These are the rules in this business. "Daniel does not want to move actually." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4801543,00.html

From Oliver Kay in the Times writing about Rafa rejecting the new contract offer............ "Benitez maintains privately that his team would be in an even more stronger position in the Premier League table had he been allowed to sign Barry." http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle5529869.ece

You'd need good full backs against that team to stop your centre backs getting pulled across to cover & a good defensive mid to keep an eye on Kaka & Ireland, but I reckon they'll struggle defensively, especially if Richards & Dunne's poor form of this season continues