Rafa Benitez rubbishes talk of moving to Real Madrid

Jan 7 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Rafa Benitez

RAFAEL BENITEZ admitted he is relieved that below-par Liverpool are in today’s FA Cup fourth round draw – as he rubbished suggestions of a move to Real Madrid in the summer.

The Anfield outfit were second best for long periods of their third round clash at Luton Town yesterday.

Peter Crouch had put a much-changed Liverpool ahead against the run of play with 16 minutes remaining, only for an own goal by John Arne Riise three minutes later to earn the Coca-Cola League One side a deserved draw.

The replay will take place at Anfield a week tomorrow, a fixture which will provide cash-strapped Luton a welcome financial injection.

Benitez was unhappy with the manner in which his side surrendered the lead, but is confident matters will be different when the sides clash again next week.

“We knew it could be a tough game and the first half both teams had some chances,” said the Anfield manager. “They worked really hard and so did we.

“When we scored the goal we needed to show more experience and control the game but we conceded minutes later, and I was really disappointed with that.

“But I am happy because we have another game at Anfield. We are still in the Cup, and I’m confident that at Anfield it will be different.

“It was really difficult as the other team were really physical. In terms of work-rate, I was happy with the players but in terms of performance we can do a little better and things will be different at Anfield.”

Asked how it was possible that a Premier League team could fail to beat lower league opposition, Benitez responded: “It’s the FA Cup. Talk to Everton, Bolton and Blackburn about it...”

Yesterday’s result came hours after reports in some newspapers suggested the Liverpool manager was resigned to leaving Anfield in the summer and was heading for Real Madrid.

But Benitez said: “The stories are not true. I love the club, I love the fans, I am really happy here and I want to stay for a long time.

“I have another two years of contract here and if I can stay for longer than two years then I will be really happy. I don’t feel under any more pressure. I think the owners want me to stay.

“But do I need to ask them this question every day? No. I will not talk about this all the time.”

The 1-1 draw means Liverpool have now won just three of their last nine games.

Benitez defended his decision to field a team packed with fringe squad players. Skipper Steven Gerrard was among those absent injured while Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina, Harry Kewell and Jermaine Pennant did not travel.

“Did the keeper have too many problems today?” said Benitez, before adding: “When you play Crouch, who is centre-forward for the national team, Voronin, who is an international, Benayoun, who is an international, and Kuyt, who is an international, you are giving the other team a message to watch out, as we have good players.”

Benitez also admitted he had originally intended to start with Jack Hobbs as partner to the fit-again Sami Hyypia at centre-back before opting to retain Jamie Carragher in the starting line-up.

“I was thinking about using the squad and then I decided it would be better to use my best team, that’s why Carragher came in,” he said.