Rafael Benitez

Rafa Benitez has laughed off speculation that he had a bust-up with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard during the FA Cup defeat by Reading.

But, speaking ahead of a crunch Premier League game on Wednesday night against Tottenham Hotspur, Benitez brushed off the rumours of a falling-out with the influential midfielder.

“We have been joking about the rumours in the media that there was a fight,” said the Liverpool boss.

Gerrard will miss the visit of Spurs due to a hamstring injury, while Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and Glen Johnson are also absent.

Daniel Agger could be available after a groin complaint as Benitez provided the latest update on the club’s injury situation.

Reina’s contract was ended until 2012. Still talking about brand-new contract with the club between Pepe underway.

Torres said that Pepe had an important role either inside or outside the field. “Pepe is an important player in the locker room, after Stevie (Gerrard) and Carra (Jamie Carragher). He always showed excitement around us, not only in the field but also in the locker room,” said Torres.

“He has followed a remarkable season. We should be happy because we have it and we hope that Pepe could any longer here,” he concluded.

Reports in the national press on Tuesday morning suggested Benitez’s contract talks were in danger of collapse because of the Spaniard’s apparent demand to have total control of Liverpool’s transfer policy.

Benitez found himself in a power struggle with American duo Tom Hicks and George Gillet last season over his future, but he insists there is no trouble on the horizon with the pair.

“My agent only received the draft document of my contract on Monday evening so my surprise is that some journalists can talk about there being problems before I have even read it properly and discussed it,” Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.

“We have agreed the length of contract and we have agreed the salary. Now we have to discuss my role and my responsibilities as manager of the club.

“But we haven’t had the opportunity to do that yet.

“Someone has information and clearly wants to create a mess, but I haven’t discussed anything yet because, as I say, the contract only arrived on Monday night.

“I don’t have any problems at all with the American owners.”

The Reds chief also rejected rumours that he was set to go head-to-head with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson again for the signing of Brazilian defender Anderson.

Both Liverpool and United have been credited with an interest in the Fluminense ace, but Benitez has denied Anderson is on his list of transfer targets.

“That is not true,” added Benitez. “We are not trying to sign that player.”

football365.com

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been plastered all over the headlines in recent times, but more for his tactical decisions off the pitch than on it.

The Spaniard stunned England last week when he unleashed a stinging tirade at Sir Alex Ferguson, claiming that the Manchester United boss was unpunishable despite constantly complaining about referees and fixture lists and so on.

Some have suggested that this ploy could work against the Reds, particularly after their frustrating draw against Stoke City at the weekend.

But Fernando Torres, Benitez’s star recruit, has insisted that the entire squad is behind the gaffer.

“He thinks he had to say those things about Ferguson and he has our support, we are with our manager,” the 24-year-old said in The Guardian.

And why wouldn’t they back a man who has led Liverpool to undoubtedly their best-ever start to a Premier League campaign?

Even after Saturday’s stalemate in Staffordshire, the Merseyside giants hold a four-point lead as they chase their long-awaited 19th English championship.

And Torres reckons there is no manager on the planet who is more capable of bringing to title back to Anfield, pointing to his exploits in Spain.

“Of course [Benítez] is as good as anyone,” the European Championship winner said. “He can compete with anyone, he won the Spanish league with Valencia after 15 years [their first title in 31 years, actually].

“Real Madrid and Barcelona were fighting for the title and he arrived in his first season and won the title. This is very difficult in Spain. Now he has to do the same thing with Liverpool.”

Mike Maguire, Goal.com

Instead, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men were treated to a 0-3 mauling by Manchester United, leaving them four points shy of the Merseysiders and just one ahead of the Red Devils.

It was just the latest in a series of disappointing displays from the Blues, who have now won just one of their last six games, and the supporters are starting to grow restless.

But Nicolas Anelka, the Premier League top-scorer, has urged the Stamford Bridge faithful to keep their chins up and look on the bright side.

“The fans have been frustrated by our recent results, which is logical,” the man often dubbed ‘Le Sulk’ said in The Guardian.

“As far as the players are concerned, we have not been happy with some of our games.

“The positive point is that we are still on course for the treble. We understand it’s going to be massively tough, but everything is possible.”

Chelsea will face Southend United in an FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday. Their Champions League last 16 clash with Juventus kicks off on February 25.

Mike Maguire, Goal.com

Leaders Liverpool have a five point lead over third-placed United, but the Manchester side have two games in hand.

“They are the favourites and the champions right now and have shown over the years they are a very powerful team,” said the 24-year-old Spaniard.

“They have two more games to play. If they catch up they will be top.”

Torres, who was one of the nominees for the Fifa Player of the Year title, won by United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, said his side’s match at Old Trafford on 14 March could decide the destination of the title.

“We know we have Old Trafford waiting for us and then Arsenal and Chelsea at home – we have to fight until the very end,” added the forward.

“The match at Old Trafford could turn out to be the decider and we hope we can be on an equal footing when we go there and try to win the match at a place that has not been advantageous for us in the past.”

United are at home to Wigan on Wednesday before travelling to Bolton next Saturday.

Wins would see Sir Alex Ferguson’s side gain the advantage in the title race with Liverpool not playing their next match until Monday 19 January when they host the derby against Everton.

BBC Sport