Liverpool are keen to open talks with Alvaro Arbeloa over a new contract to stave off interest from Atletico Madrid.
But the Spain international has intimated he will wait until the future of Rafael Benitez becomes clearer before reaffirming his commitment to the club.
Arbeloa, an arrival from Deportivo La Coruna in January 2007, has a little over 18 months remaining on his current contract.
The 25-year-old has emerged as a regular at right-back this season with his form since signing for Liverpool earning a place in Spain’s triumphant Euro 2008 squad.
That has alerted Atletico, who want to take the former Real Madrid defender back to the Spanish capital.
Arbeloa said: “I have a contract with Liverpool for one more year. We’ve not spoken about renewing it, not knowing if Benitez will continue, it seems to me a little soon to talk about this.”
Benitez revealed last week that preliminary talks have taken place between his agent and Liverpool’s American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett over a fresh deal for the Anfield manager.
Along with Arbeloa, both Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger will enter the final year of their current deals at the end of the season, with Benitez having previously admitted sorting out the long-term future of his players would be easier once his own contract situation is resolved.
Meanwhile, the Liverpool manager has praised a team effort among his backroom staff after being named Premier League manager of the month for October.
“I am really pleased to be named manager of the month, but the award is not just for me, it is good for the club and also my staff,” said Benitez. “I think that all managers need to have good backroom staff.
“Everyone is doing a very good job and that is important. It allows me to concentrate on different things because I know that they will do the job properly.”
Benitez had particular praise for Mauricio Pellegrino, who was brought back to Anfield in the summer as first-team coach after spending a short stint on the playing staff in 2005.
“When I decided to sign Pellegrino as a player it was because he is very clever and tactically he could help the other defenders,” said Benitez.
“He wasn’t at his best because he was at the end of his career, but he is showing now as a coach how brilliant he is tactically.
“I think everyone has been impressed by the things he has done since he arrived. He is a winner, he is very clever and he has a real passion for football.
“The only concern for me is maybe he will leave in the future because he can be a fantastic manager.”
Liverpool are enjoying their best-ever start to a Premier League campaign with only goal difference keeping them behind leaders Chelsea.
And Fernando Torres believes the Anfield outfit have laid the foundations of a genuine title challenge.
“This season has seen us get off to a good start, and that is very much appreciated here,” said the Spain international.
“If you are still up there by December, then you have serious options of staying there. The big name sides rarely slip up, especially during the first half of the season. If you fall too far behind, you leave yourself very few, if any, options.
“The Premier League is the title which everyone wants, even more than the Champions League, especially considering that the club lifted that one three seasons ago.
“The players who have been at the club for longer have won every title possible apart from the Premier League and the players here now, and especially the fans, want to win it.
“If they had to decide between the two, they would choose the Premier League.”
But the Spain international has intimated he will wait until the future of Rafael Benitez becomes clearer before reaffirming his commitment to the club.
Arbeloa, an arrival from Deportivo La Coruna in January 2007, has a little over 18 months remaining on his current contract.
The 25-year-old has emerged as a regular at right-back this season with his form since signing for Liverpool earning a place in Spain’s triumphant Euro 2008 squad.
That has alerted Atletico, who want to take the former Real Madrid defender back to the Spanish capital.
Arbeloa said: “I have a contract with Liverpool for one more year. We’ve not spoken about renewing it, not knowing if Benitez will continue, it seems to me a little soon to talk about this.”
Benitez revealed last week that preliminary talks have taken place between his agent and Liverpool’s American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett over a fresh deal for the Anfield manager.
Along with Arbeloa, both Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger will enter the final year of their current deals at the end of the season, with Benitez having previously admitted sorting out the long-term future of his players would be easier once his own contract situation is resolved.
Meanwhile, the Liverpool manager has praised a team effort among his backroom staff after being named Premier League manager of the month for October.
“I am really pleased to be named manager of the month, but the award is not just for me, it is good for the club and also my staff,” said Benitez. “I think that all managers need to have good backroom staff.
“Everyone is doing a very good job and that is important. It allows me to concentrate on different things because I know that they will do the job properly.”
Benitez had particular praise for Mauricio Pellegrino, who was brought back to Anfield in the summer as first-team coach after spending a short stint on the playing staff in 2005.
“When I decided to sign Pellegrino as a player it was because he is very clever and tactically he could help the other defenders,” said Benitez.
“He wasn’t at his best because he was at the end of his career, but he is showing now as a coach how brilliant he is tactically.
“I think everyone has been impressed by the things he has done since he arrived. He is a winner, he is very clever and he has a real passion for football.
“The only concern for me is maybe he will leave in the future because he can be a fantastic manager.”
Liverpool are enjoying their best-ever start to a Premier League campaign with only goal difference keeping them behind leaders Chelsea.
And Fernando Torres believes the Anfield outfit have laid the foundations of a genuine title challenge.
“This season has seen us get off to a good start, and that is very much appreciated here,” said the Spain international.
“If you are still up there by December, then you have serious options of staying there. The big name sides rarely slip up, especially during the first half of the season. If you fall too far behind, you leave yourself very few, if any, options.
“The Premier League is the title which everyone wants, even more than the Champions League, especially considering that the club lifted that one three seasons ago.
“The players who have been at the club for longer have won every title possible apart from the Premier League and the players here now, and especially the fans, want to win it.
“If they had to decide between the two, they would choose the Premier League.”
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