Daniel Agger has cast further doubt over his long-term Liverpool future by declaring Rafael Benitez’s public desire to keep him as “tactical”.
The Denmark international is out of contract next summer and has yet to decide whether or not to sign a new contract at Anfield.
Agger has missed most of the last 18 months through injury and is no longer guaranteed a regular starting role following the emergence of Martin Skrtel.
The centre-back has already stated he will not be influenced by Benitez ending months of speculation over his own future by signing a new five-year deal.
AC Milan are expected to make a concerted effort to sign Agger during the transfer window having previously been linked with an £8million move.
And although Benitez this weekend reiterated his desire for Agger to stay, the 24-year-old is reserving any judgement until meeting with the Liverpool manager.
“Agger knows what I think of him,” said Benitez. “If he stays fit, he will have as good a chance of playing as anyone, maybe more.”
Agger responded yesterday: “Benitez would like to extend my contract – that is clear. What he said is probably tactical.
“For me personally, what I can find out from him when we meet is most important.
“I don’t see it that he’s been keeping me on the sidelines, it’s the injuries that have been keeping me on the sidelines.
“I have never tried to hide that I’d like to be at the club and I feel good enough to play for the team.
“I have plenty of time because my contract won’t expire until next summer, and it would be stupid to rush anything.”
Benitez will keep his fingers crossed that his players will come through the latest round of international fixtures unscathed this evening.
Both Yossi Benayoun and Sami Hyypia picked up knocks over the weekend, the former carried off with a calf problem during Israel’s 1-1 draw with Greece while the latter injured his knee helping Finland to a 2-0 victory in Wales.
Benayoun has remained with his country ahead of tonight’s return match in Athens, but Hyypia has returned to Melwood for treatment and is a doubt for Saturday’s Premier League visit to Fulham.
“Yossi has a problem with cramps in his calf and he is in contact with our doctor and physios,” said Benitez. “We will see how he is for the next game but he has to be careful.
“Sami has a problem with his knee. The feedback we have is that it isn’t serious but he won’t train for a couple of days.
“I was talking with Sami and he was telling me he will be ready for the next game.
“He has already started working very hard to be fit again.
“It was a good decision by the Finland national team to let Sami come back to us. They were very sensible and he is now working with our physios.”
The Denmark international is out of contract next summer and has yet to decide whether or not to sign a new contract at Anfield.
Agger has missed most of the last 18 months through injury and is no longer guaranteed a regular starting role following the emergence of Martin Skrtel.
The centre-back has already stated he will not be influenced by Benitez ending months of speculation over his own future by signing a new five-year deal.
AC Milan are expected to make a concerted effort to sign Agger during the transfer window having previously been linked with an £8million move.
And although Benitez this weekend reiterated his desire for Agger to stay, the 24-year-old is reserving any judgement until meeting with the Liverpool manager.
“Agger knows what I think of him,” said Benitez. “If he stays fit, he will have as good a chance of playing as anyone, maybe more.”
Agger responded yesterday: “Benitez would like to extend my contract – that is clear. What he said is probably tactical.
“For me personally, what I can find out from him when we meet is most important.
“I don’t see it that he’s been keeping me on the sidelines, it’s the injuries that have been keeping me on the sidelines.
“I have never tried to hide that I’d like to be at the club and I feel good enough to play for the team.
“I have plenty of time because my contract won’t expire until next summer, and it would be stupid to rush anything.”
Benitez will keep his fingers crossed that his players will come through the latest round of international fixtures unscathed this evening.
Both Yossi Benayoun and Sami Hyypia picked up knocks over the weekend, the former carried off with a calf problem during Israel’s 1-1 draw with Greece while the latter injured his knee helping Finland to a 2-0 victory in Wales.
Benayoun has remained with his country ahead of tonight’s return match in Athens, but Hyypia has returned to Melwood for treatment and is a doubt for Saturday’s Premier League visit to Fulham.
“Yossi has a problem with cramps in his calf and he is in contact with our doctor and physios,” said Benitez. “We will see how he is for the next game but he has to be careful.
“Sami has a problem with his knee. The feedback we have is that it isn’t serious but he won’t train for a couple of days.
“I was talking with Sami and he was telling me he will be ready for the next game.
“He has already started working very hard to be fit again.
“It was a good decision by the Finland national team to let Sami come back to us. They were very sensible and he is now working with our physios.”
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