Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow has backed under-fire boss Rafael Benitez and insisted the Reds will not fire the Spaniard even if they fail to win the Premier League.
Benitez has come under pressure in recent weeks after the Merseysiders suffered four defeats in a row and face Manchester United at Anfield today in desperate need of a win to avoid slipping 10 points behind their bitter rivals.
All of which has led to speculation that a defeat today could put the Liverpool manager’s job at risk, but, speaking to The Guardian, Purslow insists this is not the case.
“The most important aspect of the football club I was involved in in my first week in the job was securing Rafa for another five years. You only have to look at the Premiership era and our two major competitors in the last 10 to 12 years to see the benefits of longevity,” explained the club’s managing director.
"Liverpool Football Club is on a long-term journey and that journey is to be the most successful club, firstly in our country and secondly in the world, and you don't do that by worrying about short-term results. You do that by having long-term plans centring on the people and the strategy. Rafa Benítez is absolutely central to that plan.
"The core of the team which won 86 points last season remains intact with some excellent additions, so I have every reason to believe we can perform at that level this season over the season.”
When asked by the broadsheet whether he could guarantee Benítez's position even if the club did not win the league, he answered simply: "Yes I would."
Purslow also went on to reveal that striker Fernando Torres was also central to the club’s plans and that he expected the Spaniard to stay at the club for the rest of his career.
“Fernando signed an extension to his contract this summer. He has a five-year contract. He is a crucial leader in our team,” he added.
“He loves Liverpool Football Club. He has been fantastic around the place. Fernando Torres and Liverpool Football Club go together and I believe they will go together for the length of his career.”
Benitez has come under pressure in recent weeks after the Merseysiders suffered four defeats in a row and face Manchester United at Anfield today in desperate need of a win to avoid slipping 10 points behind their bitter rivals.
All of which has led to speculation that a defeat today could put the Liverpool manager’s job at risk, but, speaking to The Guardian, Purslow insists this is not the case.
“The most important aspect of the football club I was involved in in my first week in the job was securing Rafa for another five years. You only have to look at the Premiership era and our two major competitors in the last 10 to 12 years to see the benefits of longevity,” explained the club’s managing director.
"Liverpool Football Club is on a long-term journey and that journey is to be the most successful club, firstly in our country and secondly in the world, and you don't do that by worrying about short-term results. You do that by having long-term plans centring on the people and the strategy. Rafa Benítez is absolutely central to that plan.
"The core of the team which won 86 points last season remains intact with some excellent additions, so I have every reason to believe we can perform at that level this season over the season.”
When asked by the broadsheet whether he could guarantee Benítez's position even if the club did not win the league, he answered simply: "Yes I would."
Purslow also went on to reveal that striker Fernando Torres was also central to the club’s plans and that he expected the Spaniard to stay at the club for the rest of his career.
“Fernando signed an extension to his contract this summer. He has a five-year contract. He is a crucial leader in our team,” he added.
“He loves Liverpool Football Club. He has been fantastic around the place. Fernando Torres and Liverpool Football Club go together and I believe they will go together for the length of his career.”
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