Sunday, December 07, 2008

Benitez Turns Down New Liverpool Deal

Press reports in England suggest that Rafa Benitez has rejected Liverpool's opening offer as negotiations for his new contract begin.

Rafa Benitez has said no to Liverpool's initial £12 million offer in negotiations for his new contract, reports the News of the World. The Spaniard is holding out for improved terms after the Anfield hierarchy put forward a two-year extension to the manager.

The new deal was planned to last until 2012, and would have upped Benitez's salary from £3.5 million a year to just under £4 million for the rest of his time with the club.

The Liverpool manager is keen for his wages to match those earned by his rival managers at the other so-called 'Big Four' clubs. Both Manchester United's Alex Ferguson and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger are reputed to earn £4.5 million a year.

Talks will continue, but it is understood to be these wage demands that are causing a stumbling block, with the club's owners arguing that Liverpool have not won another trophy since Benitez's last contract renewal in 2006.

Benitez also apparently wanted a five-year deal, as he has vowed to remain on Merseyside and ignore the efforts of other clubs, most notably Real Madrid, to prise him away from Anfield.

Negotiations are expected to continue.

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