DECEMBER 25
Benitez: Merry Christmas to you all

By Rafael Benitez - LFC Official Website

On behalf of everybody at Liverpool Football Club I'd like to wish all our supporters a very happy christmas.

Wherever you're enjoying today's festivities, I hope you have a great time with your friends, family and loved ones. Hopefully we can give you all a belated present tomorrow with three points at Derby County.

This is always a very busy and important period of the Premier League season with lots of games in a short space of time, but I am confident we have the players and the quality within the squad to cope with the challenges which lie ahead and keep our title dreams alive going into the new year.

When I wrote this time last year I said I was sure we had made progress - and the same applies this time around.

In my mind there is no doubt we have a better squad now than twelve months ago, we have more quality all over the pitch and I am convinced we are continuing to take the club in the right direction.

It has been a year which has seen us again qualify for the Champions League through our league position, we've reached another European final and of course we have recently booked our place in the last sixteen of this season's competition.

We have been able to improve the squad by bringing in a number of top class players, all of whom have shown their ability and their desire to play for this great club.

The Premier League is tougher to win than ever before and I think the race could go down to the wire this year. Points are being won and lost every week by the top teams and if that continues then there's no doubt we're in for an exciting second half of the season.

We are closer than we have been over recent years at this stage and that, to me, highlights the improvements we have made. We have a squad of players with great hunger and a determination to succeed and I can promise you that we will all be doing everything we can to give ourselves the best possible chance of enjoying a successful season.

It just remains for me to again wish you a merry christmas, to pass on my appreciation for the fantastic support you have given the club during 2007 and to pass on my thanks for all the christmas cards I have received over the last few weeks from all over the world.

I hope you all have a great 2008.

Regards,

Rafa.

DECEMBER 20
Benitez keen on new deal

Sky Sports

Rafa Benitez has revealed he would be open to extending his Liverpool contract following talks with owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

The Liverpool boss met the American duo on Sunday, following the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United, to discuss the recent stand-off.

Benitez had been critical of the owners' lack of understanding of the transfer window, but is confident any problems have now been resolved.

And, having won the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League during his Anfield tenure, the Spaniard aims to win the Premier League and prolong his reign.

Respect
"I am quite at ease," Benitez told Sport newspaper. "I would like to fulfil my contract and extend it, if possible.

"My family has settled very well and, to me, the respect and appreciation of the public in England is incredible.

"We are already very close to winning the Premier League. We are now eight points ahead of what we had last year and we have made progress in the Champions League.

"We are in a good position, but others also invest, progress and evolve."

Benitez also played down his row with Gillett and Hicks, and revealed the level of support he had received from Liverpool fans across the globe.

Confident
He added: "It has been a little exaggerated. The Americans want the best for the club and so do I.

"The only thing they want is that we sit down and talk because there is a difference in language and a significant distance. I think there must be better lines of communication.

"I am calm. I am confident that things are going to settle and we will succeed.

"40,000 signatures on the internet supported me to continue at the Liverpool helm. The signatures came from Australia or from Asia. Many supporters of Liverpool around the world are supporting a coach who has won major titles for the club."

AUGUST 22
Rafa angered by Heinze verdict

Sporting Life

The simmering tension between Liverpool and Manchester United over the Gabriel Heinze saga became verbal warfare on Wednesday as Anfield boss Rafael Benitez launched a staggering attack on the Premier League and the Old Trafford club.

Heinze has had his attempts to join Liverpool blocked by a Premier League hearing, that sided with United over who they could sell the player to once their £6.8million valuation had been met.

But not only has Benitez attacked the Premier League decision, which could leave Heinze's career in limbo until his contract ends, he has also directed his fury at the Old Trafford hierarchy.

In a Liverpool Echo interview, Benitez claims decisions are being taken which favour Liverpool's old rivals with Tuesday's dismissal of Heinze's bid to move to Anfield the latest setback.

Benitez said: "I would like to ask the Premier League a number of questions. How can a player with a signed agreement be treated like this?

"He has a document which is clear, but the Premier League prefers to believe the word of someone else who made a mistake. I know there were accusations made against Liverpool in the hearing which were unbelievable. How can this be allowed?"

And broadening his attack from the Heinze issue, Benitez said: "Then I would like to ask the Premier League why is it that Liverpool always plays the most fixtures away from home in an early kick-off, following an international break?

"We had more than the top clubs last season and we have four already to prepare for this season.

He then - somewhat bizarrely given the story dominated the news agenda for most of the close-season - claims it was "so easy" for United to sign Tevez.

Benitez added: "Then I want to ask the Premier League why it was so difficult for Liverpool to sign Javier Mascherano, when we had to wait a long time for the paperwork, but it was so easy for Carlos Tevez to join Manchester United?

"It's going to be very difficult for us to win the Premier League because the other teams are so strong, but I want our supporters to know that despite the disadvantages we have, we will fight all the way.

"We will fight to cope with our more difficult kick-off times and all the other decisions which are going against us."

But it is the Heinze decision, stopping Liverpool buying the defender who believed he had a letter clearing his exit for a set sum, that has upset Benitez most.

He now must consider contingency plans knowing that any appeal by Heinze may not be concluded by the time the transfer window shuts at the end of August.

An appeal panel on the Premier League's decision will include a PFA representative and a high ranking member of the legal profession.

Heinze remains optimistic an appeal will be accepted and is in no mood to give up on his hopes of moving to Liverpool.

His solicitor, Richard Green said: "We are extremely disappointed with the result and we will be appealing."

It is being suggested that United would be happy for Heinze to be loaned out to a mid-table Premier League side or agree to a transfer overseas, with Lyon at the front of the queue while Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for the Argentinian.

APRIL 17
Rafa: I snubbed huge Real deal

TEAMtalk

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has confirmed publicly for the first time that he recently turned down a massive offer to manage
Real Madrid.

And sources close to the Reds chief insist that the Spanish giants wanted Benitez before they turned their attention to Jose Mourinho.

As the Anfield chief prepares his side for Wednesday's home Premiership game with Middlesbrough, it has become clear he rejected a huge offer from Madrid which could have virtually doubled his Anfield contract.

It is intriguing that the Benitez camp are happy to let it be known who was top of Madrid's wish list the week before their Champions League semi-final first leg against Mourinho's Chelsea.

Madrid-born Benitez and chief executive Rick Parry have made no secret of the fact that the Anfield boss rejected an approach from Real last summer.

Now it has been confirmed that the club Benitez played for, coached the youngsters of and was assistant manager at, came back with another deal in the last few weeks.

Benitez has previously been reluctant to be too specific about what has been going on behind the scenes.

But he has now said: "I said no to Real when they offered me more money than I get here, even though there maybe were greater expectations.

"Madrid may be my town, but I am happy here and pleased with everything. We want to stay because of the new ideas and the new owners are very exciting.

"It is so positive for the future. And I could not ignore the noise and support I received from the supporters last week against Eindhoven, it was tremendous and moving. I repeat, I am very happy here.

"It was not a difficult decision. I have an objective here, I explained that when I spoke to the new owners and they told me they would be supportive.

"It is clear that Madrid was an opportunity but I said 'no' - because I have a lot of confidence in the future here and I believe we can win more trophies and there are a lot of positive things in the future.

"My family are happy, I am happy and we feel the future of the club will be brilliant."

It was suggested by new joint-owner Tom Hicks that Benitez turned his back on Madrid because his wife told him to - but Benitez maintains the decision was his own.

He continued: "I do not like to talk about my family, but they are really happy here at Liverpool and I am prepared to have my daughter with a Scouse accent, even though it is sometimes a problem for me!

"I want to make it clear that I said no to a good offer. That is because we are happy, it is not a question of money.

"This is a project, it is my club, my team, my players and the fans are always behind us. I am really happy here for all these things together."

Benitez also made it clear he wants all talk of new player contracts to stop ahead of the first leg of the European double-header against Chelsea.

Liverpool opened talks for new deals for Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso, Jose Reina and Luis Garcia a couple of weeks ago.

Benitez has confirmed all discussions are going well but explained: "I do not want to talk any more about the contract discussions.

"I wanted us to show them I had confidence in them and I would like to see all of them here in the future - the people in charge of the club agree.

"But we are trying to progress, I tried to be positive with them and show the players we want to progress. But if we cannot do it quickly, we will wait and talk after the Champions League.

"It is clear we want to keep these players and to keep them happy here. I have confidence because the conversations were good, but maybe now for this next few weeks it is time to finish talking.

"If we have an agreement okay, if we do not have an agreement we have shown them that we are interested in their futures. But now I want to focus on football and the Champions League.

"The players have contracts already, but we have shown them we want them to stay here and be happy.

"It is a good message for our supporters to show that the new owners and the staff at the club want to keep our key players here.

"I would now want an end to all the talk about the players until after the Champions League.

"We are talking, I don't know how close we are, but it is a positive message. But if we cannot sort things out now I want to think about Chelsea now and then talk again afterwards.

"I do not want to see the players thinking about contracts when they should be concentrating on games."

APRIL 5
Mourinho may be the special one,
but it is Benitez who is emerging
as an extraordinary manager

By Jamie Gardner - Liverpool Daily Post Correspondent

Liverpool owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are no doubt steeped in sporting statistics - RBIs, powerplays, ERA and the rest - so they will be delighted to know that in Rafael Benitez they have one of Europe's "winningest" coaches.

Excluding preliminary matches, the Spanish manager can boast a record of over 58% of matches won in European competition with the Anfield outfit and his former club Valencia - 39 won out of 67 played so far.

That compares well with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, whose winning percentage in 29 years of European football is just over 50% (93 won out of 185 played prior to last night's quarter-final first leg with Roma).

And if Jose Mourinho - played 60, won 30 ahead of the Valencia tie - is the special one, then Liverpool have an extraordinary manager on their hands.

One of the most impressive aspects of Benitez's European record is how his teams have fared away from home. In 33 matches he has won 15 and drawn 11, losing just seven.

So what makes Benitez so successful when it comes to the European game?

Put simply, he is a football anorak who knows the quirks and foibles of his team - and those of the opposition - inside out.

This is the man who spent part of his honeymoon watching AC Milan train, stored data on a laptop computer about his charges in the Real Madrid youth setup, and even banned his Valencia players from eating paella - the local speciality -because it did not fit within his nutritional framework.

Mista, who scored Valencia's second and decisive goal against Marseille as Benitez led them to UEFA Cup glory three years ago, summed it up.

"Benitez prepares matches like no one else. Sometimes it would shock you just how often the opposition did precisely what he said they would do."

Liverpool and their new American owners are now reaping the benefits of this attention to detail.

MARCH 29
Benitez excited by USA backing

Sporting Life

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has welcomed the positive effect new American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have had on the club.

Earlier this week the pair completed their takeover at Anfield, acquiring more than 98% of shares in just eight weeks to be able to take the club into private ownership.

The US duo have promised to back Benitez in the transfer market, as well as provide the funds for a new stadium in nearby Stanley Park, and the Spaniard has welcomed their input so far.

"I think it's very positive. I hope that they will try to do the best for the club because when you want to buy a club and you want to invest big money it means that you want to be successful and that you want to win everything," said Benitez.

A week ago the Liverpool boss underlined his commitment to the club by dismissing speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid and he re-iterated his desire to stay at Anfield and work with the American tycoons to make the Reds a genuine force in English football once again.

"I think that can be really good for us. If everything is going in the right direction I think it can be a very good time for all of the people involved," he told the League Managers' Association's website, www.leaguemanagers.com.

"I am really happy here and everything is okay and I think it can be a very good opportunity for doing something for the [Liverpool] history."

MARCH 22
I'm not leaving

By Chris Bascombe - Liverpool Echo

Rafa Benitez today underlined his long-term commitment to Liverpool by stating: “I’m going nowhere - I'm determined to stay.”

In what will come as a huge relief to the Reds following more worrying speculation concerning Real Madrid, Benitez says he has no intention of walking away from the club.

His vow comes after a long chat with owner George Gillett and Tom Hicks over the weekend, when the manager was further reassured of the direction of the club.

“It’s clear I have always wanted to stay and now I’m even more determined to stay,” said Benitez.

"I think it's important the fans know I am completely committed to Liverpool Football Club and I'm going nowhere.

"I know there's been a lot of speculation in the Spanish media linking me with Real Madrid.

"Any manager would be honoured to be associated with such a famous club, especially as Madrid is my home city and also my former club. However, I want to make it clear I am very happy at Anfield and very happy in England and I'm genuinely excited by what the future holds for Liverpool.

"I've had some extremely positive discussions with the new owners and share their enthusiasm and determination to take this club back to the very top.

"I will be sitting down shortly with both Mr Gillett and Mr Hicks to discuss things face to face, but an enormous amount of work is already underway in preparation for the way forward.

“The news I have after speaking to the new owners was really positive. I’m very excited about what we can achieve this season, but also about what we can do next season. I’m thinking more about what we can do this year, but the future is also important.

“All the contact I’ve had with the American owners has been positive and now I feel the situation is under control. It was important for me to hear their ideas.

“I can’t stop the Press in Spain talking about me, but I have always said I am happy here and I’m determined to continue my job at Liverpool.”

Benitez’s commitment to the Reds will be a blow to officials at The Bernabeu, who were preparing their second official move for the Liverpool manager in as many years.

There will be a meeting involving Gillett, Hicks and Benitez around the time of the Arsenal home game on March 31, but the new owners have clearly acted speedily to avert a potential crisis.

Inevitably, Benitez will be expecting the reassurances he’s been given to be backed up with action as he prepares for next season and beyond, but his pledge to remain on Merseyside should bring the latest round of unwanted speculation to an end.

It remains to be seen if Madrid are put off a move by today’s comments by Benitez, but his language today is in significant contrast to the more tight-lipped approach he took prior to his dialogue with the new owners.

Meanwhile, Hicks says Benitez is "absolutely" the man they want to manage the club.

He said: "We're going to get together with Rafa the morning after the Arsenal match (on 31 March). It's now time to do that.

"I'll have my whole family over and George is going to have his family there. We're all going to celebrate our first match together as the official owners. We've set aside half a day the next day to visit with Rafa."

The American duo are set to formally take control of the club next week. Hicks says this is the reason why he and Gillett are yet to have detailed talks with Benitez.

"I've exchanged a number of emails with Rafa and know George talked to him personally last week," he said.

"We've explained to Rafa, which he knows and I think is very comfortable with, that we don't own the team yet. We will officially own the team some time next week when the tender closes.

"It would be very inappropriate for us to start and have those kind of important meetings prior to being the owners."

MARCH 18
Benitez set for Reds talks

By Chris Stanton - Sky Sports

Rafa Benitez is hopeful of convincing Liverpool's new owners to buy into his vision for the club.

Benitez is to discuss Liverpool's progress with George Gillett jnr and Tom Hicks as the American pair increase their involvement in team affairs.

The Spaniard is adamant he sees his long-term future with The Reds and is hopeful his new paymasters will agree to his proposals for team strengthening.

"My responsibility is to say to the owners how to improve the team. I will put my ideas to them. Afterwards they will decide," said Benitez.

"The key is the team and after that we can go forward.

"It is not a question of money. It is a question of keeping going in the right direction."

With the continuing uncertainty surrounding Fabio Capello's position at Real Madrid, Benitez has been touted as a potential successor, but the former Valencia boss is quick to rubbish the rumours.

"I am really happy here and I want to stay. I want to be here for a long time because I have confidence we can go forward. I think the owners will listen," added Benitez.

Thor Zakariassen ©