Newspaper reports today claim that Liverpool will hand manager Rafael Benitez at least £15million to spend on transfers in January in an attempt to keep him happy.
Reds duo Rick Parry and David Moores are said to be concerned that Real Madrid are sending out signals that they are interested in snatching Rafa from Anfield to replace their underfire boss Vanderlei Luxemburgo. Speculation suggests he will get the bullet if Real lose to Athletic Bilbao tomorrow evening or Alaves on Sunday.
Benfica's Simao Sabrosa remains Rafa's priority signing and he won't come cheap for starters, if indeed a deal can finally be hammered out. Other names have also been identified by Insider sources and with Rafa still set on axing Cisse, additional funds could be available depending on whether or not he can offload him in the New Year.
Liverpool will block any advances by Real Madrid. But poor old Rafa will be caught up in a right mess if they do make an approach because his ambition one day is to manage them. Put simply, such an approach would be at the wrong time for him but will he be burning his bridges by rejecting them? And are Liverpool ambitious enough to boost his CV over the forthcoming seasons? Such questions will certainly be on his mind.
We believe Rafa's a man of his word and we're not concerned (yet) about the situation which is starting to be played out.
CARRA EAGER FOR TITLE GLORYPaul Eaton 22 September 2005 Jamie Carragher has revealed his desire to one day celebrate winning the Premiership title with Liverpool. Carragher admits the Premiership is at the top of the Reds wish-list following...
Jay -- LIVERPOOL FC - KINGS OF EUROPE MANCHE$TER BUCCANEERS & BLUEpooE - KINGS OF COMEDY
