Rafa Benitez is bracing himself for the biggest battle of his life – holding on to his big-name stars if Liverpool’s season ends in disaster.
The Kop boss is only too aware that mind-blowing bids will be slammed down hard on the American owners’ boardroom table for his own elite top four – Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Pepe Reina and Javier Mascherano.
And although Benitez wouldn’t want to cash in, he knows George Gillett and Tom Hicks will be swayed by multi-million-pound offers.
The key to keeping his superstar squad intact is silverware. Finishing in the top four and picking up a cup or two along the way is what he needs to turn round a disappointing season.
But even if Champions League qualification is secured, Benitez knows it probably won’t stop Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho coming back in for Steven Gerrard who he tried to sign for Chelsea in 2004.
And Manchester City would also be certain to make making a world-record bid of up to £100million for Torres. Benitez at first straight-batted the question saying: “At this moment we have to do the best for the club which is trying to improve the squad.”
But, when pressed further about who would have to make a decision on a massive transfer bid, he said:
“We would have conversations if we had to decide about this.
“Finishing in the top four is key to keeping everyone together and we also want to progress in the cups.
“The FA Cup and the Europa League are a challenge so we have to stick together and try to do our best in every game and every competition.”
It’s clearly a seriously worrying time for Benitez who has worked relentlessly to tie up his superstars on long-term deals.
Torres, Gerrard and Reina have committed themselves to the club and the cause but Mascherano is yet to sign on the dotted line.
The Argentina midfielder has kept his options open about cutting and running in the summer to Barcelona – if they still want him.
Benitez believes Mascherano will decide to stay now his pal, Argentina winger Maxi Rodriguez, is on his way to Anfield from Atletico Madrid.
Mascherano is still considering whether his immediate future might be better served in Spain but Benitez will not give up on that personal fight either. He said: “We are working on improving the level of the squad.
“Sometimes it’s bringing players, sometimes it’s players leaving.
“We are selling Andrea Dossena and Andriy Voronin because they were not playing too many games and they wanted to play every week.
“So we had to manage the situation and try to do the best for them and for us.
“We are doing contract extensions with others because we wanted to keep a strong squad.
“Sometimes that means to buy and sometimes to sell.
“Sometimes people want to go – but you can’t let them go now.
“Sometimes you don’t have the right offer so it’s not easy to say if you will lose some players.”
The Kop boss is only too aware that mind-blowing bids will be slammed down hard on the American owners’ boardroom table for his own elite top four – Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Pepe Reina and Javier Mascherano.
And although Benitez wouldn’t want to cash in, he knows George Gillett and Tom Hicks will be swayed by multi-million-pound offers.
The key to keeping his superstar squad intact is silverware. Finishing in the top four and picking up a cup or two along the way is what he needs to turn round a disappointing season.
But even if Champions League qualification is secured, Benitez knows it probably won’t stop Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho coming back in for Steven Gerrard who he tried to sign for Chelsea in 2004.
And Manchester City would also be certain to make making a world-record bid of up to £100million for Torres. Benitez at first straight-batted the question saying: “At this moment we have to do the best for the club which is trying to improve the squad.”
But, when pressed further about who would have to make a decision on a massive transfer bid, he said:
“We would have conversations if we had to decide about this.
“Finishing in the top four is key to keeping everyone together and we also want to progress in the cups.
“The FA Cup and the Europa League are a challenge so we have to stick together and try to do our best in every game and every competition.”
It’s clearly a seriously worrying time for Benitez who has worked relentlessly to tie up his superstars on long-term deals.
Torres, Gerrard and Reina have committed themselves to the club and the cause but Mascherano is yet to sign on the dotted line.
The Argentina midfielder has kept his options open about cutting and running in the summer to Barcelona – if they still want him.
Benitez believes Mascherano will decide to stay now his pal, Argentina winger Maxi Rodriguez, is on his way to Anfield from Atletico Madrid.
Mascherano is still considering whether his immediate future might be better served in Spain but Benitez will not give up on that personal fight either. He said: “We are working on improving the level of the squad.
“Sometimes it’s bringing players, sometimes it’s players leaving.
“We are selling Andrea Dossena and Andriy Voronin because they were not playing too many games and they wanted to play every week.
“So we had to manage the situation and try to do the best for them and for us.
“We are doing contract extensions with others because we wanted to keep a strong squad.
“Sometimes that means to buy and sometimes to sell.
“Sometimes people want to go – but you can’t let them go now.
“Sometimes you don’t have the right offer so it’s not easy to say if you will lose some players.”
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