AUGUST 23
Rafa reiterates commitment

Sky Sports

Rafa Benitez has promised Liverpool fans he is fully committed to the club despite speculation of an exit.

Rumours were rife that Benitez was set to quit the club in the build up to Wednesday's 4-0 win over Stoke City after a reported argument with club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

However, Benitez laughed off the reports and his side responded in style with a ruthless display against the Potters to get their season up and running after an opening weekend defeat to Tottenham.

The Spaniard has now assured fans there was no truth in the gossip and has promised to honour the five-year contract he signed earlier this year.

He said: "I can tell everyone that my commitment to the club is still there.

"When I signed the new contract it was because of the fans, because of the staff and because of the players.

"I told everyone I will stay - it was my decision. I'm really pleased here and I'd like to stay for the length of my contract. The fans know this so that's the most important thing for me.

"The problem here is that rumours go around very, very quickly. Even people who know me wanted to know what was happening. They all asked: 'Are you going? What happened?' I was even surprised myself."

The 49-year-old is no stranger to speculation surrounding his future and has previous experience of dealing with such matters on the eve of a big game.

He said: "We had a situation similar to this one when we played Real Madrid in the Champions League. It was a surprise then, but we won the game.

"This time I got messages when I was preparing for the game against Stoke. They came through on my phone.

"We had a team talk and then came the messages. I had to concentrate, but no-one expected that. I don't know how, but someone started talk about this and the rumour grew.

"I can guarantee, though, nothing affected me as I was preparing for Stoke."

MARCH 21
Rafa: I won't walk on deal

Daily Star

Rafa Benitez has reassured fans he won’t quit Liverpool – no matter who owns the club.

The Kop boss yesterday reacted to rumours sweeping Merseyside that he had only signed his new five-year contract on condition that he could walk away if he and anyone who might take over didn’t get on.

And he responded emphatically when asked if there was a get-out clause, saying: “No, that is not the case.

“I’ve signed it because I am 100 per cent committed to the club.”

The Spaniard was happy to pen a new deal with American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, despite the fact that the duo had earlier hardly spoken to each other following a split about the direction the club was taking.

However, Hicks made it clear in an interview on Thursday that the pair were now cooperating, with Benitez confirming: “Both the owners have signed the contract. That for me is very important and I have already signed the contract. That will keep me here and it doesn’t matter who the owners are.”

And Hicks has also confirmed that, like Benitez, he has long-term plans for the club.

“Both have told me that they want the best for the club and for me that is enough,” added Benitez.

“We were not talking about money. We were talking about the club and what we wanted to do and I told them ‘yes’.”

MARCH 19
Rafa's highs and lows

With Rafa Benitez having finally ended speculation over his Liverpool future by signing a new five-year contract at Anfield, skysports.com takes the opportunity to look at the Spaniard's reign on Merseyside. There have been memorable highs and the odd low since his appointment in June 2004.

Sky Sports

HIGH - Appointed Liverpool manager in June 2004 on a five-year deal.

HIGH - In December, Steven Gerrard scores with just four minutes remaining as Liverpool come from 1-0 down to beat Olympiacos 3-1 at Anfield and secure the two-goal margin they need to reach the UEFA Champions League knockout stage.

LOW - Liverpool are knocked out of FA Cup in Benitez's first taste of the competition in January 2005. Benitez is slammed for fielding a weakened line-up after Djimi Traore scores an embarrassing own goal in 1-0 third-round defeat at Burnley.

LOW - The following month, Liverpool lose the Carling Cup final 3-2 to Chelsea at the Millennium Stadium.

HIGH - In May, Liverpool avenge their Carling Cup final defeat against Chelsea with a controversial 1-0 aggregate Champions League semi-final win on one of the greatest nights Anfield has witnessed.

LOW - Five days later, Liverpool lose 3-1 at Arsenal in their penultimate game of the season to end their hopes of finishing fourth in the Premier League and guarantee Champions League football the following season.

HIGH - Surprise finalists Liverpool stage the greatest comeback in European Cup final history to stun AC Milan on penalties and become European champions for the fifth time.

HIGH - Uefa bend their own rules to allow Liverpool to defend the Champions League by allowing five English teams to compete in the competition to following season.

HIGH - Liverpool beat CSKA Moscow 3-1 after extra-time in August's UEFA Super Cup in Monaco.

LOW - In October, Benitez comes under fire again for his attitude to domestic cup competitions as an understrength Liverpool are beaten 2-1 by Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup third round.

LOW - Two months later, Liverpool are beaten 1-0 by Sao Paulo in the final of the Fifa Club World Championship in Yokohama.

HIGH - In January 2006, Liverpool resurrect memories of Istanbul by coming from 3-1 down to beat Luton 5-3 in an FA Cup third-round tie at Kenilworth Road.

HIGH - The following month, Liverpool beat Manchester United 1-0 at Anfield in the fifth round, their first FA Cup win over United for 85 years.

LOW - Liverpool are beaten 2-0 at Anfield by Benfica in March to lose their Champions League last-16 tie 3-0 on aggregate.

HIGH - Two weeks later, Liverpool win 7-0 at Birmingham in an extraordinary FA Cup quarter-final.

HIGH - Benitez signs a new four-year contract in May 2006, effectively ending speculation he could quit the club for Real Madrid.

HIGH - The same month, Liverpool win the FA Cup in one of the competition's great finals against West Ham.

HIGH - In August, Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Millennium Stadium to win the Community Shield.

LOW - The following month, the Reds suffer their heaviest Merseyside derby defeat for 42 years, going down 3-0 at Goodison Park.

LOW - In January 2007, Benitez faces the most severe criticism yet of his selection policy as Liverpool crash out of both domestic cup competitions to Arsenal inside three days at Anfield. A 3-1 FA Cup third-round defeat is followed by a 6-3 Carling Cup quarter-final thrashing.

HIGH - The same month, Benitez finally records a Premier League victory over Chelsea with a 2-0 win at Anfield. It ends a run of five successive league defeats to the Londoners.

HIGH - A month later, George Gillett and Tom Hicks complete their takeover at Anfield, promising to give Benitez the money to end Liverpool's title drought.

LOW/HIGH - Later that month, team-mates Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise are reported to have had a bust-up in the build-up to Liverpool's Champions League last-16 clash with Barcelona. Both then score as Liverpool record a remarkable 2-1 win at the Nou Camp. Liverpool go on to win the tie on away goals.

HIGH - In May, Liverpool beat Chelsea in a repeat of their 2005 Champions League semi-final.

LOW - Later that month, AC Milan gain revenge for Istanbul with a 2-1 win in the final in Athens.

HIGH - In November, Liverpool beat Besiktas 8-0 at Anfield, the biggest win in Champions League history and the club's biggest victory under Benitez. The result keeps alive the club's bid to reach the knockout phase after a disappointing start to their group left them on the brink of elimination.

LOW - Later that month, Benitez has a very public falling out with the club's new owners after becoming frustrated at their decision not to discuss funding for January transfers until mid-December. In a spat which runs for days, Benitez claims the pair do not understand football's transfer system, while an angry Hicks tells the Spaniard to focus on coaching the club.

HIGH - Liverpool romp to an easy 4-0 victory in their must-win Champions League group game at Marseille to qualify for the last 16.

HIGH - The Reds hammer league leaders and bitter rivals Manchester United 4-1 at Old Trafford to keep alive their faint title hopes.

HIGH - Finally signs new contract to keep him at Anfield until 2014.

MARCH 18
Benitez signs long-term Reds deal

BBC Sport Online

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has ended speculation over his future at Anfield by signing a new deal that will keep him at the club until 2014.

The 48-year-old put pen to paper after protracted negotiations which put a doubt over his tenure at the club.

But Benitez said: "My heart is with Liverpool, so I'm delighted to sign this new deal.

"I love the club, the fans and the city and with a club and supporters like this, I could never say no to staying."

Benitez has signed a five-year contract after a week in which he has led his team to two of his most impressive wins since taking over in 2004.

The Reds beat Real Madrid 4-0 in the second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie to earn a 5-0 on aggregate victory which put them into the quarter-finals of the competition.

They then went to Old Trafford and came back from a goal down to win 4-1 against arch-rivals Manchester United in the Premier League, reigniting hopes of a first league title for Liverpool since 1990.

Benitez added: "I always made clear I wanted to be here for a long time and when I complete my new contract it will mean I have spent over a decade in Liverpool.

"The club is greatly respected around the world due to its incredible history and tremendous heritage.

"It is my aim to uphold those values and help create a new chapter in our history.

"Throughout this process, I would like to thank the owners for their hard work in finalising the deal.

"All of us at the club want the same thing, which is to be successful by winning major trophies."

The rumours over Benitez's future reached a climax before the first leg of the tie against Real Madrid when some bookmakers stopped taking bets on him being at the club beyond the end of the week.

But the Spaniard insisted he was surprised by the speculation and that he was confident of staying as talks continued.

He is believed to have turned down a number of drafts of the deal in order to get his way on certain issues, with one understood to be the club's transfer policy, before reaching agreement.

Benitez has now signed against the continued backdrop of a strained relationship between co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, while the club also recently announced chief executive Rick Parry was to leave the club at the end of the season.

That move increased the likelihood Benitez would commit his future to the club as the Spaniard was unhappy at Parry's slowness in completing transfer deals.

Hicks, who admitted to talks with Jurgen Klinsmann in November 2007 about taking over as Liverpool manager if Benitez left, said: "It is wonderful news that Rafa has made a long-term commitment to the football club.

"Since he became manager in 2004, he has been responsible for the great progress we have made.

"I know he will continue to build on his achievements as he has a tremendous hunger and desire to bring more success to the club - success our fans and everyone connected with the club deserves."

And Gillett added: "With Rafa continuing to manage the team, we can look forward to more great football and success on the pitch.

"He has special abilities and qualities which are admired here at the club and around the world.

"Coming after our excellent wins over Real Madrid and Manchester United, this gives us great momentum going into the final stages of the season."

Benitez has guided the Reds to victory in the Champions League final against AC Milan in 2005 and led Liverpool to victory over West Ham in the FA Cup final in 2006.

They again reached the Champions League final in 2007 but lost out 2-1 to AC Milan.

The Reds also recently came out as the number one team in European competition based on Uefa's co-efficient rankings system, which takes results over the past five years into account.

FEBRUARY 16
Benitez seeks swift
end to contract talks

BreakingNews.ie

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has called for his contract negotiations to be brought to a positive conclusion after denying he wants total control of transfers.

The Spaniard’s deal runs out in the summer of 2010 and he believes the continued uncertainty over his future, and those of several members of the Anfield backroom staff, is hampering the club’s long-term planning.

“Anyone that has just a year left on his contract does not have anything at all and I have only got a year and a half left,” Benitez told The Guardian.

“When people, either within the club or from outside it, realise that the manager only has that much time left then he is dead.

“I’ve got 10 or 12 assistants whose contracts are up in June. How can a manager lead a project properly if the continuity of his staff is not secure for two or three years?”

One of the reputed stumbling blocks to Benitez’s contract negotiations has been his alleged insistence that he is given a free rein on transfers, where chief executive Rick Parry currently holds ultimate power.

But he added: “I would like to clear one thing up – I never asked for complete control.

“I did, however, ask for the power to be able to make my own decisions and run the team the way I see fit. That is not the same thing.”

When Benitez’s time on Merseyside does come to an end, he admits it would be a privilege to take charge of Real Madrid, where he was coach of the youth teams earlier in his career.

“I am not thinking about leaving and I hope to be here for a long time but of course Real Madrid would be the perfect ending to anyone’s career,” he said. “But my career is not at an end yet.”

JANUARY 18
No Kop out for Reds boss

By Chris Stanton - Setanta Sports

Rafa Benitez has reiterated his wish to remain at Liverpool for the long-term, despite the Spaniard appearing unwilling to back down in his contract demands.

Benitez, who this week rejected The Reds' offer of an extension, has intimated that he will reopen discussions with the club's American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr. next month, however the increasingly belligerent boss insists that his demands remain the same.

The sticking point, as far as Benitez is concerned, revolves around transfer policy, with the former Valencia manager not inclined to answer to the club's chief executive Rick Parry on the issue of player recruitment.

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."

Benitez is adamant that uncertainty over his long-term future will not affect Liverpool's short-term aims, namely the pursuit of a first league title since 1990.

He added: "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."

JANUARY 16
Stunner as Rafa Benitez
rejects Anfield contract offer

By Tony Barrett - Liverpool Echo

Rafa Benitez has rejected Liverpool’s contract offer.

The Reds boss today told the ECHO it was “with great regret” that he has declined the proposal but feels he has no other option.

Benitez says he has no complaints with the financial terms of the deal on the table, nor the length of the proposed contract with these elements having been agreed by all parties last month.

The Spaniard is adamant he has no quarrel with Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, insisting recent talks have never been anything but amicable. But he feels the conditions of the contract would not allow him to manage football matters at the club to the best of his abilities.

As revealed in the ECHO on December 19, the sticking point throughout the negotiations has been what Benitez terms his “role and responsibilities”, with the Liverpool manager keen to have a bigger say in the running of the club’s academy and an increased influence over transfers. This request has been turned down by Hicks and Gillett, resulting in Benitez rejecting their offer.

“My relationship with the owners is better than people think,” he insisted. “I have regular contact with them and especially with Tom Hicks who has always been very supportive.

“The talks between my agent and the advisers of the owners have been very positive and friendly and our differences are about my responsibilities.

“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.

“I have a lot of experience in football at different clubs and if you do not have a technical director and you are the manager you have to have control of the football decisions. But always within the confines of a budget which is controlled by the owners and the club.

“In this scenario the manager knows the amount money he has available to him and can decide how much he should spend on each player according to the needs of the team.

“The only person who can decide the value of a player to his squad is the manager because he knows what elements are needed to improve the squad.”

Benitez has long been frustrated about being contractually denied a greater influence over Liverpool’s youth academy and had sought to have the situation reversed in talks with Hicks and Gillett. The owners, though, have told him they are not ready to bow to his demands, leaving Benitez frustrated at what he sees as a missed opportunity to improve the Kirkby-based facility.

He said: “I believe the academy is a very important part of the future of the club. The length of the contract was already agreed and this showed my long term commitment to the club.

“I know the academies of Ajax, Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Valencia and they are producing players regularly.

“The way the system works there means the manager has an input into development and I think this could be the way forward here and we would hope that this would help us make better use of local talent.”

Benitez insists that money has nothing to do with his decision and has told the fans he will continue to give everything in a bid to bring more success to Anfield.

And says he now wants to put his contract situation behind him for the time being in order to concentrate on Monday night’s eagerly awaited Premier League clash with Everton.

“I have to say again that this is not about financial gain. This is not a way to get more money,” he added.

“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.

“From the first day I came to the club I have only ever given 100% and I will continue to do this.

“We have a very important game coming up against Everton on Monday night and now I just want to be able to concentrate only on this.”

JANUARY 13
Benitez close to
new Liverpool deal

BreakingNews.ie

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed he has agreed the length of a potential new contract at Anfield as well as the salary on offer.

However he is baffled about reports that he is on a collision course with the club's American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett about the remaining terms of the deal.

Benitez insisted he had not had time to fully digest the contract details as they only arrived yesterday.

It was reported that Benitez had demanded complete control over transfers and more say in the running of the club's youth academy.

However he told the Liverpool Echo: "I don't have any problems at all with the American owners.

"My agent only received the draft document of my contract yesterday evening.

"So my surprise is that some journalists can talk about there being problems before I have even read it properly and discussed it.

"We have agreed the length of contract and we have agreed the salary. Now we have to discuss my role and my responsibilities as manager of the club.

"But we haven't had the opportunity to do that. Someone has information and clearly wants to create a mess, but I haven't discussed anything yet.''

JANUARY 12
Benitez queries Gill influence

Sky Sports

Rafa Benitez has continued his attack against Manchester United by questioning chief executive David Gill's position on the Football Association board.

Liverpool manager Benitez delivered a calculated criticism of his United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson prior to the weekend's fixtures.

Benitez claimed Ferguson was allowed to go unpunished when criticising referees, prompting the United boss to suggest the Spaniard was 'disturbed for some reason'.

But now Benitez has stepped up his row with the Premier League champions by querying the influence Gill has at the FA.

"They were saying we are not a threat," said Benitez in the Daily Mirror. "Now they know we are, they are starting mind games.

"But I don't think it's a mind game when you have control over everything, it's a mind game when you have the same level as the other people, then you can show you are cleverer than the others.

"But when you have control of everything and your chief executive is powerful in the FA and things like this, then that is not mind games.

"Is there a conflict of interest with David Gill at the FA?

"That is another fact. It is a fact that one person has a lot of power and control, and is on a lot of committees in the FA.

"To me that is very strange."

JANUARY 9
Benitez waits on new deal

Sky Sports

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has revealed his disappointment at the slow progress in his contract negotiations.

The former Valencia boss - who launched an astonishing attack on Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson on Friday - opened discussions with the Liverpool hierarchy in November and both parties expressed a desire to secure an extended deal.

It was thought that Benitez was close to putting pen-to-paper in December, but discussions were put on hold as the Spaniard underwent a kidney stones operation.

However, Benitez - whose current terms expire in 2010 - has revealed that his representative has yet to receive paperwork from the club.

"My agent has not yet received any documents, and he is a little disappointed," said Benitez.

"But okay, we will see what happens. But I do not want to say too much at the moment."

Meanwhile, Benitez has stated that he is waiting for a 'good offer' for out-of-favour winger Jermaine Pennant.

AC Milan, Real Madrid, Stoke and Hull City have all expressed an interest in the former Birmingham player and it appears inevitable the £6.7million flop will leave Merseyside in January.

"I have had a conversation with Jermaine," added Benitez. "He is waiting for a good offer and we are waiting for a good offer.

"A new contract for him would be very difficult."

JANUARY 9
Rafa launches Fergie attack

By Peter Fraser - Sky Sports

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has launched an astonishing attack on Sir Alex Ferguson and has accused the Manchester United manager of attempting to start 'early' mind games in the Premier League title race.

Benitez takes his table-topping side to Stoke on Saturday looking to reinforce their position at the summit, but he has been angered by comments from Ferguson.

The Reds could move 10 points clear of third-placed United, who would enjoy the luxury of three games in hand, with victory at the Britannia Stadium but Ferguson has suggested that the Liverpool could choke under the pressure.

Ferguson's observation has caused an outburst from Benitez and the Spaniard has launched criticism of the Old Trafford boss, claiming he is the only manager to avoid punishment in the current Respect campaign.

Benitez said: "We had a meeting in Manchester with managers and the Football Association about the respect campaign.

"And I was very clear, forget the campaign because Mr Ferguson was killing the referees, killing Mr (Martin) Atkinson, killing Mr (Keith) Hackett.

Ban
"But I have seen some facts. On 1st November, they played Hull and Mr Ferguson had a two-match touchline ban and a £10,000 fine after confronting Mike Dean, the referee, for improper conduct.

"We started the Respect campaign, and that was when (Javier) Mascherano was sent off (last season) at Old Trafford.

"The referee (Steve Bennett) was the referee when they played against Wigan - he could not see the handball against Wigan by Rio Ferdinand, he did not give a penalty. They won the game and they won the title in this game.

"I think it will be the same referee who will be in charge of their game in hand this season (against Wigan).

"During the Respect campaign - and this is a fact - Mr Ferguson was charged by the FA for improper conduct after comments made about Martin Atkinson and Keith Hackett.

"He was not punished. He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things."

Tricks
Benitez also feels that Ferguson's suggestion that Liverpool cannot handle the pressure at the top of the table is only an example of the Scot's infamous psychological tricks.

"I was surprised but I have to talk about facts," added Benitez. "I think that is important. I think they (United) are nervous because we are at the top of the table.

"I want to be clear. I don't want to play mind games too early and I think that they want to start."

And Benitez has also been angered by Ferguson's complaints about the English fixture list.

"Then he was talking about the fixtures," continued the former Valencia chief. "Two years ago we were playing a lot of early kick-offs away on Saturdays when United were playing on Sundays. And we didn't say anything.

Complain
"Now he is complaining about everything, that everybody is against United. But the second half of the season will see them playing at home against all the teams at the top of the table, it is a fantastic advantage.

"But at Christmas, United played on the 29th and the rest of the teams played on the 28th. We were away against Newcastle two days after playing Bolton. They were playing about 40 hours later, they were not complaining then.

"If he wants to talk about fixtures, and have a level playing field as you say in England. There are two options if we don't want more problems with fixtures.

"One is the same as in Spain, the draw for the first part of the league is known, everyone knows which weekend. In the second half everyone plays the opposite, so you all know.

"Sky have the right to choose their games and it will be the same for everyone. So Mr Ferguson will not be complaining about fixtures and a campaign against United.

"Or there is another option. That Mr Ferguson organises the fixtures in his office and sends it to us and everyone will know and cannot complain. That is simple."

Thor Zakariassen ©