Why lie? Rafael Benitez has plunged his Liverpool
future into doubt with claims about the club's transfer
policy
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has opened the door to an Anfield
farewell by accusing the club of breaking promises over new
signings when he signed a five-year contract last summer.
Benitez, who is being actively pursued by Italian giants
Juventus, effectively put himself on the market by drawing
comparisons between his current situation at Liverpool and when he
walked out on Valencia in 2004 after he and the Spanish club
clashed over control of transfers.
The Spaniard will lead out his Liverpool team for their final
home game against Chelsea on Sunday knowing that a victory could
help bitter rivals Manchester United overtake their own record of
18 league titles.
But it is his own future that dominates the build-up to the
match from Liverpool’s point of view, following Thursday’s dismal
Europa League exit against Atletico Madrid.
Benitez said: ‘I decided to sign an extension because the squad
was good and the money was going to be there. But the conditions
changed.
‘We’ve had a bad season and hopefully things will be different
in the future, but at the moment I can’t talk about the future
because I don’t know what’s going on.
‘I left Valencia (for Liverpool in 2004) because conditions
changed. It was not a question of my money that I stayed at
Liverpool. I said No to other massive offers. I decided to stay
under certain conditions and they have changed.
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‘The players share the same frustrations. I know how they feel
because I’ve been talking to them all season. The season has not
been good, that is clear. We know why and what has to change.’
Benitez’s stance has exasperated Liverpool, who insist his job
is safe despite a fourth season in a row without a trophy, and that
has encouraged Juventus who want to take him to Turin.
But with Liverpool certain to demand compensation and the
manager himself not sure about taking Juve’s offer, the matter may
not be resolved as quickly as the Italians would like.