Benitez seeks Reds reconciliation
Rafa Benitez
Benitez guided Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes he can resolve his differences
with club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
The Spaniard fell out with the American duo over the club's
transfer policy, leading to speculation he might leave.
But after beating Porto to renew their Champions League hopes,
Benitez said he just wants the best for Liverpool.
"I don't have any personal problems with the owners," he said. "I'm
sure we will talk and they will understand and I will understand
their ideas."
Wednesday night's result against Porto at Anfield means a win in
their final group game against Marseille will put Liverpool through
to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
And a relieved Benitez even joked that maybe the breakdown in his
relationship with Hicks and Gillett was down to his poor command of
English.
"I know my English is not really good so maybe that's the problem,"
he told Radio 5 Live.
If Rafa Benitez thinks he needs more money in January then his
managerial skills need reviewing!
Benitez is keen to strengthen his squad in the January transfer
window as Liverpool continue their quest for success in both
domestic and European competition.
But it appears Hicks and Gillett are reluctant to release funds for
players, prompting the former Valencia boss to grow increasingly
frustrated.
He has already launched two public verbal assaults on his bosses,
but it now seems as though he wants some kind of
reconciliation.
"My relationship with them was good before and now we need to talk
about what the problem was," he said.
It's not my ego, it's my responsibility... I need to take care of
my team, my squad and club
Rafa Benitez
Benitez has always enjoyed the backing of the fans during the row
and before Wednesday's game at Anfield, more than 2,000 marched to
the ground from a nearby pub to show their support for the
manager.
"I must thank the Liverpool fans, they are always magnificent,"
said Benitez.
The 47-year-old, appointed in June 2004, has made it clear he wants
to remain in charge of a club he guided to Champions League glory
in 2005.
"It would be easier for me to stay here and do nothing and wait for
the end of the month for my wages, but I prefer to do my best for
the club," he said.
"It's not my ego, it's my responsibility. I need to take care of my
team, my squad and club because I need to do it."
