Rafa Benitez enjoying Anfield life again after testing time

Dec 1 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Rafa Benitez

RAFAEL BENITEZ believes he can “enjoy” life at Liverpool again after a tumultuous week – as Tom Hicks dismissed reports he was prepared to sell his stake in the club.

The Anfield manager had appeared on the brink of being dismissed after a public falling out with Hicks and co-owner George Gillett over strategy in the January transfer window.

But conciliatory moves from Benitez and the Champions League victory over Porto on Wednesday have helped defuse the situation.

Benitez has been encouraged by the return this week to Melwood of Foster Gillett, installed at Anfield to work alongside Rick Parry and whose absence in recent weeks was a factor in what the Spaniard regards as the “misunderstanding” between himself and the owners. And after fresh discussions with chief executive Parry, Benitez was happy to look forward ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League visit of Bolton Wanderers.

“Any disagreement (between himself and the owners) is now behind us,” said the Liverpool manager. “We need to talk about the misunderstanding and different ideas. It is clear that I want to stay here. My idea is to try and work as hard as possible and try to win games and trophies. My position is to enjoy the last game. We are trying to do our job as normal. It is more relaxed now. That’s football, when you win games that means people are happier.”

Benitez added: “Foster Gillett is around. I haven’t spoken to him yet. If I can talk with him, I will.

“I had a meeting with Rick Parry about the situation and now we are just thinking about Bolton and preparing for the games.

“I have some information from the owners. The meeting with Rick Parry was about the problems we have had and what we can do in the future, but we were not talking about dates.

“Foster was here before and we had contact every day. It was more difficult when he was away. When he was here it was easier to talk to him, now I think it will be easier with him here again. When Foster is around it is easier for us, and it will now be easier in the future.”

Benitez is hopeful there will now be no repeat of the rift that threatened his job and led to a huge show of support in favour of the manager on Wednesday at Anfield.

“The other day I said I don’t have any personal problem with the owners,” said the Spaniard. “I don’t think it will be a problem like before. We will have some conversations and we will see what exactly the situation is for the future.”

A report yesterday suggested that Hicks was prepared to sell up his share in the club, with former suitors the Dubai International Capital group considering a new bid.

But a spokesman for Mr Hicks told the Daily Post last night: “Reports in the UK press that Mr Hicks is considering selling his stake in Liverpool Football Club or any part of that stake is absolutely and categorically false.”

Benitez’s side will aim for a fifth successive victory when they entertain Bolton tomorrow.

Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio, Xabi Alonso and Jermaine Pennant all remain sidelined, with Peter Crouch, Harry Kewell, John Arne Riise and Lucas Leiva vying for a recall to the starting line-up after being benched for the 4-1 win over Porto.