THE agent of Yossi Benayoun has denied the player will seek a January move to Manchester City.

Speculation gathered pace over the weekend that the Eastlands club are preparing a transfer window swoop for the Israeli captain but Ronen Kastav has moved to dispel any rumours his client is keen on a move away from Anfield.

Benayoun has been one of Liverpool’s main attacking threats so far this season, bagging a memorable hat-trick against Burnley in September, and signed an improved deal with the club in the summer which ties him to Liverpool until 2013.

It appears Benayoun’s displays have brought him to the attention of City boss Mark Hughes who is believed to be looking to strengthen his squad when the market re-opens at the beginning of 2010.

Kastav said: “Naturally a player playing well at Liverpool will always have other teams interested in him.

“It is a great compliment that there is interest from high level teams across Europe but Yossi is very happy at Liverpool and only in the summer agreed a new four-year contract.”

Benayoun skippered his country to a 3-1 World Cup Qualifying victory over Moldova – a win which leaves Israel third in Group Two of the European section.

Meanwhile in the South American qualifying group, Argentina beat Peru with a dramatic late winner to keep their hopes of an automatic passage to South Africa alive.

Captained by Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano, the 2-1 triumph not only marked a significant three points towards their 2010 hopes but also handed Emiliano Insua his international debut.

Manager Diego Maradona gave the Anfield left-back a starting place in the crucial match in Buenos Aires and the 20-year-old played the full 90 minutes, earning rave reviews along the way.