Rafa Benitez insists that he would like to stay at Liverpool and that he is still in talks with the club. There are a series of important meetings this week including one on Wednesday with new chairman Martin Broughton.
“I wanted to stay and would like to stay if everything is fine. It would not be easy to leave,” he said.
These public announcements fly in the face of what Gazzetto Dello Sport is reporting. They already have Benitez working with Juve on their club transfers through his closest associates. On the list Edin Dzeko, the Wolfsburg striker. And a trio of Liverpool players including Torres, Kuyt, and Mascherano.
Andrea Agnelli, will be announced as Juve’s new chairman and they hope to announce Beppe Marotta, as GM and Rafa as the new coach. A potential stumbling block was avoided as Rafa gave up his insistence on technical affairs and concentrate on coaching. He has however been assured of enough money for transfers.
Till then there maybe this public charade of deflection and reading between the lines. Rafa maybe working both ends. His agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon was non-committal.
“My client has four years left of his contract and he intends to respect it.” But could it be wound up early? “Who can predict the future?”
Liverpool’s immediate future looks vulnerable. Debt ridden to the hilt. Even Steven Gerrard maybe on sale to raise money to reduce the debt. Unless new owners with serious cash are found this summer. Which maybe why Benitez is biding his time. But Juve makes a heck of a backup plan. And the Old Lady seems confident that the situation in Liverpool may not improve drastically this summer.