Liverpool will not stand in the way of manager Rafa Benitez if
he is headhunted by one of Europe's top clubs.
Benitez, already courted by Juventus, is waiting to see if AC
Milan become interested in his services and Liverpool are prepared
to waive the vast majority of their entitled £16million
compensation so they do not have to keep an unhappy manager.
Heading out: Anfield boss Rafa Benitez
Benitez, whose team will finish seventh - their lowest position
for 16 years - if they fail to beat Hull today, held 'constructive'
talks with chairman Martin Broughton last week and has cooled on
going to Juve since they failed to qualify for the Champions
League.
But, with Liverpool's debts having increased to £350m, Benitez
knows his plans to spend on established internationals are unlikely
to be realised at Anfield.
It means today's game could be the 49-year-old Spaniard's last
at Liverpool after six years in charge, with the club wanting to
resolve the situation by the middle of next month.
Liverpool will not sack Benitez if it means having to pay up the
remainder of his contract, but there would be relief within the
club if they were able to make a fresh start under a new
manager.
Their main priority is to keep Fernando Torres.
The £70m-rated striker is seen as crucial to the club's
international branding as a major force in world football.
New Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has tired of Benitez's
brinkmanship after he initially showed an interest in the job in
Turin, and is demanding a quick answer.
But, even if Benitez does not move to Juve, he is likely to go
if a top Champions League club make a firm offer.
Liverpool's policy of trying to buy the best young players in
Britain continued yesterday when they agreed a £2m fee for Rangers
defender Scott Wilson, 23. Benitez agreed with the club to cancel
his normal media arrangements ahead of today's game.
He publicly complained last weekend that Liverpool had broken
promises.