Liverpool legend Ian Rush is confident manager Rafael Benitez will stay at the club, despite continued speculation linking the Spaniard with a move to Juventus.
The Italian giants sacked manager Ciro Ferrara last week after a terrible run of results and installed Alberto Zaccheroni as boss until the end of the season.
And although they are expected to come knocking for Benitez in the summer, Rush reckons it will be a wasted journey.
"I can’t see Rafa Benitez quitting Liverpool to take over at Juventus," said Rush, who played for both clubs, to the Liverpool Echo.
"To be honest, it just wouldn’t make any sense. Juventus is a club close to my heart and as far as I’m concerned they are the best club in Italy.
"But if Benitez left to go there he wouldn’t be going to a better club or one with more money to spend on signings.
"In fact Juventus are in a worse financial situation than Liverpool.
"I’d be very disappointed if he went there and I just can’t see it happening."
Rush played for the Turin club between two spells at Liverpool that saw him score more than 300 goals.
"I think some people read far too much into Benitez saying he was proud to be linked with Juventus," Rush added.
"Of course it’s a good feeling when a big club wants you and that’s all he said. Rafa also said he’s staying so that should be the end of the matter. He’s given his word and we have to believe him.
"All this speculation can be unsettling for players. You don’t want to hear stories about how the manager who signed you might be moving on."
Rush added that Saturday's derby game with Everton did not fill him with confidence, given the form of the Toffees.
"Everton will provide a much tougher test for us on Saturday than they did at Goodison back in November," he said.
"The Blues have got players back from injury and are full of belief after going nine games unbeaten.
"Tim Cahill is finding some form and Landon Donovan has added something to their side, but one player we really have to be wary of is Steven Pienaar.
"He was one of the few players who did well against us at Goodison and he’s a class act.
"If we’re going to finish fourth it’s a game we must win so all the pressure is on us. There is a lot more than just pride at stake and a derby victory would be a massive boost as we look to really kick on.
The Italian giants sacked manager Ciro Ferrara last week after a terrible run of results and installed Alberto Zaccheroni as boss until the end of the season.
And although they are expected to come knocking for Benitez in the summer, Rush reckons it will be a wasted journey.
"I can’t see Rafa Benitez quitting Liverpool to take over at Juventus," said Rush, who played for both clubs, to the Liverpool Echo.
"To be honest, it just wouldn’t make any sense. Juventus is a club close to my heart and as far as I’m concerned they are the best club in Italy.
"But if Benitez left to go there he wouldn’t be going to a better club or one with more money to spend on signings.
"In fact Juventus are in a worse financial situation than Liverpool.
"I’d be very disappointed if he went there and I just can’t see it happening."
Rush played for the Turin club between two spells at Liverpool that saw him score more than 300 goals.
"I think some people read far too much into Benitez saying he was proud to be linked with Juventus," Rush added.
"Of course it’s a good feeling when a big club wants you and that’s all he said. Rafa also said he’s staying so that should be the end of the matter. He’s given his word and we have to believe him.
"All this speculation can be unsettling for players. You don’t want to hear stories about how the manager who signed you might be moving on."
Rush added that Saturday's derby game with Everton did not fill him with confidence, given the form of the Toffees.
"Everton will provide a much tougher test for us on Saturday than they did at Goodison back in November," he said.
"The Blues have got players back from injury and are full of belief after going nine games unbeaten.
"Tim Cahill is finding some form and Landon Donovan has added something to their side, but one player we really have to be wary of is Steven Pienaar.
"He was one of the few players who did well against us at Goodison and he’s a class act.
"If we’re going to finish fourth it’s a game we must win so all the pressure is on us. There is a lot more than just pride at stake and a derby victory would be a massive boost as we look to really kick on.
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