Carlos Tevez
Benitez’s own decision now appears to have been made for him although the asking price to get the player out of his third party agreement would have meant the Spaniard breaking the club’s transfer record again.
But he still needs the cash to boost his forward line, with Ryan Babel, Andriy Voronin and Alvaro Arbeloa the most likely sales to raise transfer funds.
Other avenues remain open.
Assurances on his future intentions from Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso are yet to be forthcoming after having his head turned by Real Madrid while Barcelona appear relentless in their pursuit of Tevez’s Argentina team-mate Javier Mascherano.
Any such exits form Anfield would open the door for high-profile recruits such as Tevez – but he now seems to have drawn a line under that particular transfer saga.
Meanwhile Liverpool have announced the appointment of Antonio Gomez Perez to their backroom staff as reserve team coach.
Gomez will work alongside the newly-appointed reserve team manager John McMahon.
