Rafa Plays Down Anfield Rift

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has reassured supporters that his row with the club's co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks is not serious.

The Spaniard's frustration at the American duo's unwillingness to release funds for new players in the January transfer window bubbled to the surface in a tense press conference earlier in the week.

However Benitez was in more conciliatory mood in the wake of his side's 3-0 win over Newcastle earlier today.

"I think they don't understand what the transfer window means in Europe," he told Sky Sports.

"When you sign a player he needs to settle down. They don't understand how difficult it is to sign players. When you have the possibility now that you are free, you must do it or lose players. I'm trying to explain it, so it's OK.

"We will keep calm and I will try to keep focused on winning games for my supporters. I think it's not serious. If they understand what the market means for football here in Europe, they will understand I am trying to do my best for the club."

Hicks had reacted to Benitez's first set of comments with a terse warning to "quit talking about new players and to coach the players we have".

It is also believed that discussions over a permanent deal for midfielder Javier Mascherano and a possible swoop for Racing Santander defender Ezequiel Marcelo Garay have been put on hold until the Reds' precarious Champions League position is decided.

Newcastle 0 - 3 Liverpool

Sam Allardyce was plunged deeper into crisis as sorry Newcastle were humiliated at home by Liverpool.

For the second game on the trot at St James' Park, the Magpies were taken apart by the visitors, and only Shay Given and good fortune prevented Rafael Benitez's men from bettering Portsmouth's 4-1 scoreline three weeks earlier.

Steven Gerrard, who was booed by the home fans for his part in England's Euro 2008 failure in midweek, opened the scoring with a 28th-minute piledriver and after the hugely impressive Fernando Torres hit the post on the stroke of half-time, Dirk Kuyt made it 2-0 within 60 seconds of the restart.

Substitute Ryan Babel capitalised on the mayhem in Newcastle's defence to make it 3-0 with 24 minutes remaining as the home fans chanted "You don't know what you are doing" and "Big Sam for England".

Allardyce's team were simply woeful and the fury with which the final whistle was greeted by a crowd of 52,307 after they failed to muster a single shot on target will not have gone unnoticed by grim-faced owner Mike Ashley.

By contrast Benitez, who has found himself at odds with owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, was able to wear the satisfied smile of a man who had seen his team do all he had asked of them.

Allardyce rose this morning to read of apparent unrest in his dressing room, but that was nothing compared to the boos which greeted his players as they left the field after a desperately poor opening 45 minutes.

In truth, it could have been much worse with Torres having squandered the chance to double the Reds' lead in the final minute of the half after Kuyt had turned Charles N'Zogbia's kamikaze header into his path.

Given looked to have misjudged his sprint towards the ball, but managed to make a vital block, and he got his reward when the Spaniard picked up the loose ball and fired against the foot of the post with the goal at his mercy.

Newcastle were able to offer next to nothing in reply with Alan Smith's dipping 38th-minute volley, which dropped just wide, their only effort of any note.

More worryingly, the 3-5-2 system adopted by Allardyce in the face of a defensive injury crisis looked alien to his players, who found themselves repeatedly out-numbered as Liverpool simply passed the ball around them.

Strikers Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins were painfully isolated with nominal wide men Geremi and N'Zogbia struggling to make anything of the sporadic possession they received.

Indeed, the biggest cheer of the afternoon to that point came when the first contestant in the half-time hit-the-crossbar challenge produced the most accurate ball of the day from a man in a black and white shirt to connect with the woodwork at the first attempt.

If the Magpies had escaped at the end of the first half, they were not to be so fortunate at the beginning of the second after Habib Beye was forced to concede a 46th-minute corner.

Sami Hyypia managed to get a flick on Gerrard's ball in at the near post and Kuyt bundled it home from close range to make it 2-0.

Allardyce did little to improve the mood at St James' when he replaced Emre with Joey Barton after 51 minutes with his side labouring.

Beye had to get in a block to deny Harry Kewell after 54 minutes after Torres had found space on the right and, although Smith volleyed high over at the end of a rare Magpies attack a minute later, there were cheers when James Milner emerged from the dug-out to warm up.

Milner duly arrived with 59 minutes gone, but Allardyce's decision to replace N'Zogbia was greeted with incredulity.

Newcastle were in complete disarray and after Torres had twice gone close, substitute Babel finally made them pay when he exchanged passes with Gerrard to fire home a third goal after 66 minutes.

Torres was tormenting the home defence and should really have added his name to the scoresheet, firing wide after 68 minutes with just the helpless Given to beat and then seeing another effort blocked by the Irishman seconds later.

Babel sent a stinging shot across Given's goal after 73 minutes and then laid a fourth on a plate for Kuyt, only to see the Dutchman scuff his effort straight at the goalkeeper, and the final whistle came as a merciful release.

Reds Owners To Meet Benitez

Liverpool owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks say talks with Rafa Benitez regarding squad improvement will take place in December.

Benitez invested heavily in his Anfield squad during the summer in a bid to turn the Reds into serious Premier League title contenders.

But there have been reports that the Liverpool boss is unhappy with the delay in finalising a permanent deal for on-loan midfielder Javier Mascherano.

Gillett and Hicks have now released a statement in an attempt to put the focus on the club's upcoming fixtures, starting with the weekend's game against Newcastle United.

"We made a significant investment in the playing squad during the summer and desperately want this team to succeed," read the co-chairmen's statement on the club's official website.

"There are some very important games coming up in the next couple of weeks and all of us need to focus on winning those games and getting the best out of the players we already have at the club.

"We will leave any talk of buying or selling players until we come across to Liverpool in December and sit down with the manager then."

Benitez spent a club record fee to bring Fernando Torres to Liverpool in the summer, and also splashed out on Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel.

Is LiverpooL In Crisis?

The civil war that has suddenly gripped Liverpool could determine whether they can ever rejoin the elite of English football, or be condemned to yet more years in the Premier League wilderness.

Manager Rafa Benitez launched an extraordinary offensive yesterday with what he sees as a ultimatum to the club's American owners that they can only interpret as back me or sack me.

In response, George Gillett and Tom Hicks offered a considered and cutting response, apparently designed to call the bluff of the manager who often reacts in an impulsive way to any perceived problems.

Benitez has become increasingly angry in recent weeks over what he believed was a complete lack of communication from the Americans.

He argued that since buying the club they had put their energies into other projects, left Liverpool on a back burner, and wondered whether the pair were working together as a team.

Both men have each been to only one game this season, and Benitez claims he has spoken to them just once in three months, while also exchanging the odd email.

Gillett's son Foster, installed at Anfield as a go-between, has flown back to the States for an extended period.

In particular, Benitez wants the £17million deal for Javier Mascherano wrapped up, after agreeing terms over both contract and fee. The Americans though, have delayed, insisting they have first option on the Argentina midfielder and that there is no need to rush.

Benitez also tried to negotiate deals to bring in two highly-rated young Brazilians, and wants funds to back a major offensive to sign £15m Argentina defender Ezequiel Garay.

All three proposals were met with indifference by a board increasingly sceptical about his constant pursuit of untried South Americans, believing it to be a high-risk strategy that could cost the club millions.

Benitez wants to move quickly, with Juventus interested in Mascherano, and Manchester United in Garay, who, along with the Brazilians, is also wanted by Real Madrid.

His frustration has grown to such a level Bayern Munich and Fenerbache made inquiries after word leaked out at Anfield of his discomfort.

That did nothing for relations between the manager and owners sides, with the Americans beginning to believe they may be better off without someone prone to such emotional outbursts.

There is still anger within the boardroom over Benitez's personal attack on Gillett, Hicks and chief executive Rick Parry over a lack of support after the Champions League Final.

Gillett and Hicks responded by making £50m available for transfers, and believe the manager now has a squad strong enough for a serious assault on the title.

However, the situation came to head yesterday when Benitez was told by the Americans to wait until they arrive in England on December 16, and until then to concentrate on getting the best out of a squad that has cost so much.

That enraged the Spanish, who immediately marched into a press conference conducted in a remarkable manner.

Virtually every question was answered with the same response: "As always, I am focused on coaching and training my team." He repeated the sentence - clearly meant as a response to the demands of the Americans and probably borrowing from a phrase they used - more than 25 times.

Their reaction was swift and significant. They issued a statement that robustly defended their position and also explained what had been happening behind the scenes.

"We made a significant investment in the playing squad during the summer and desperately want this team to succeed," it read. "There are some very important games coming up in the next couple of weeks and all of us need to focus on winning those games and getting the best out of the players we already have.

"We will leave any talk of buying or selling players until we come across to Liverpool in December and sit down with the manager then."

The question for Benitez is whether he can remain in charge until then. The owners have called his bluff, and he must mull over his position after being so publicly chastised.

He would receive a huge payoff - thought to be up to £6m - if sacked, even if he finds another job, but will forfeit that amount if he quits.

He has been bluntly told he has had significant backing and will have to earn further support through results on the field, which have been less than impressive despite major investment.

The ball in now in his court, but the US tycoons are hard-nosed businessmen and Benitez has suddenly found himself on extremely treacherous ground, that could conceivably lead to his departure.

Rafa Benitez has spent £122.7million in transfer fees on 17 players (not counting free transfers) since joining Liverpool in the summer of 2004. Here are his biggest buys.

F Torres (A Madrid) £26.5m

R Babel (Ajax) £11.5m

X Alonso (Valencia) £10.5m

D Kuyt (Feyenoord) £9m

P Crouch (S'pton) £7m

J Pennant (Arsenal) £6.7m

F Morientes (R Madrid) £6.3m

Benitez Fancies England Job

Rafael Benitez has sensationally declared his interest in the England job, fuelling rumours of an apparent rift with Liverpool's American owners.

The Spaniard has reportedly clashed with Tom Hicks and George Gillett over transfer budgets and says he is seriously considering going for the England job.

'Maybe I could be Steve McClaren's replacement if I improve my English,' said the 47-year-old.

'I was being serious. You never know what can happen in the future,' he added.

At a press conference on Thursday Benitez was unusually quiet, describing his week as 'not the best' amid rumours Hicks and Gillett had vetoed his plan to sign on-loan Javier Mascherano on a permanent basis.

The former Valencia boss responded to questions on a variety of issues with the stock answer: 'I am focused on training and coaching my team.'

Gillett and Hicks responded by saying transfer business would be discussed when they visit the club next month.

Football Association chief exeutive Bian Barwick will begin the search for a England new coach today following the sacking of Steve McClaren.

And with leading candidates already making themselves unavailable, calling Benitez may be high on his list of priorities.

Martin O'Neill and Sam Allardyce have both distanced themselves from the post while fans' favourite Jose Mourinho is also reported to have ruled himself out.

Benitez Distracted By Other Issues

Off-the-field issues have overtaken Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's preparations for Saturday's early kick-off at Newcastle after the club's co-chairmen Tom Hicks and George Gillett laid down a marker on transfers.

After a fortnight without action because of the international break the Spaniard has had little time to get his players ready for the trip to Tyneside.

And his mood was not helped by an apparent disagreement with the club's American owners over how much money - if any - will be forthcoming in January.

Benitez patently had issues when he spoke to the press to preview the match and a few hours later the reason for his mood became clearer.

"We made a significant investment in the playing squad during the summer and desperately want this team to succeed," said a statement from Hicks and Gillett.

"There are some very important games coming up in the next couple of weeks and all of us need to focus on winning those games and getting the best out of the players we already have at the club.

"We will leave any talk of buying or selling players until we come across to Liverpool in December and sit down with the manager then."

It was a distraction Benitez did not need considering the limited amount of time he will have with his full squad once they all returned from international duty on Wednesday.

However, those players that were not involved with their countries have boosted the Spaniard's plans for Newcastle.

Daniel Agger, Harry Kewell and Fernando Torres are all in line for a return to the starting line-up with the latter the most significant of the trio.

Liverpool's record signing remained at Melwood this week, working on his match fitness, and has not been involved for Spain.

It seems Torres will regain his place in the starting line-up and will keep the shirt for next week's crucial Champions League crunch at home to Porto, a match Liverpool must win to stay in contention to qualify for the group stages.

Torres made his initial comeback a fortnight ago when he scored a fine goal as substitute against Fulham - and is likely to get the nod from Benitez at St James' Park.

Agger is close to full recovery from a broken metatarsal, while Kewell could also be in contention after a succession of groin-related problems.

He played a full 90 minutes for Australia last weekend, and Benitez described his return as like "having signed a new player".

It will be Torres, though, who will be in the spotlight.

"We have a confidence and a focus which will make us a very dangerous opponent for everyone who has to face us," he predicted.

"We have maybe not played as well as we are all capable of all the time this season - but look at how close we are to the teams at the top of the table.

"That is highly encouraging for us.

"From what I have seen so far in England, we do not have anything to fear from any of our opponents for the title. They are all great teams with a lot of experience and many very, very good players - but so are we."

Torres sees the title as a straight battle between the established top four clubs in this country.

"I am sure that as the season progresses it will come down to a fight between Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea - and we will be in there too.

"There is a winning mentality at Liverpool. I look around in the dressing room before a game, and in the face of ever player and every coach you see the winning expectation.

"They do not go out on to the pitch, either hoping they will or praying they will win - they expect it. They have such a belief in their ability that another outcome is just not something they consider.

"It is very new to me, but I enjoy that mentality very much and I am thinking this way too now."

Portsmouth Interested In Crouch

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has admitted he would be interested in signing Liverpool striker Peter Crouch.

Redknapp is a big fan of Crouch having worked with the England striker during his time in charge of Portsmouth and Southampton.

Crouch's long-term future at Liverpool looks uncertain with reports suggesting Rafa Benitez could be willing to cash in on the forward.

And should Crouch become available, Redknapp has indicated he would be at the front of the queue to sign the 26-year-old.

"You will always be interested in someone like him," Redknapp told The Mirror.

"He is a great player and can be unplayable at times. He is a great lad and great to work with.

"He was fantastic in that year he had at Portsmouth. The club owe him a massive debt for what he did.

"We bought him for £1million and sold him for £5million. He scored 19 goals and without those goals they would probably have gone down.

"He kept the club going and for me he has been one of the main players for the last six or seven years."

Rafa: We Will Come Good

Rafael Benitez believes that Liverpool's young lions will savage their title rivals in the second half of the season.

The Anfield boss is backing the likes of Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Lucas Leiva to show exactly why he spent so much money on them by inspiring an historic Premier League triumph.

Liverpool have secured a menacing position just behind the league pacesetters, and Benitez believes his meticulous planning over rest and recuperation through player rotation will give them the strength to become champions.

"Our squad is really good and hopefully the strength of the squad will become more clear as the season goes on - you will see how strong we can become," Benitez explained.

"Some young players, especially the likes of Leiva, Torres, Babel and Sebastian Leto, will play better and get stronger as the season progresses.

"I am not disappointed with them but I think they do have the potential to play better.

"We have more points than this time last season. I cannot be 100 per cent happy because I know we could have won the games against Birmingham, Chelsea and Tottenham. So there is plenty of room for improvement."

Reina Not Attracted By Atletico Madrid

Jose Reina claims he would not be interested in leaving Liverpool after reports linked him with a move to Atletico Madrid next summer.

The Spain international goalkeeper is said to be a target for Los Colchoneros next summer, who apparently thought he may fancy a move there.

Although no official contact has been made, Reina has spoken out to prevent any more stories as rumours continue to circulate.

"I am flattered," he said. "But at this moment it would not be good for me to move as my family is comfortable.

"I am feeling happy and valued. I have no reason to move."

Reina's father, Miguel, played for Atletico in the 1970's and was a member of the side that was beaten by Bayern Munich in Belgium.

Despite being born in Madrid, Reina junior rose through the ranks at Barcelona before moving to Villarreal in 2002.

After three seasons at El Madrigal, Rafa Benitez swooped to sign him for Liverpool and he replaced Jerzy Dudek as the club's number one.

Torres Unfazed By Rest Of ‘The Big Four’

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres declared the Reds have nothing to fear from their Premier League title rivals this season.

Rafael Benitez's side have made an inconsistent start to the season, with glorious 8-0 hammerings in Europe standing alongside disappointing 0-0 draws at home against ‘smaller’ clubs.

This patchy form has placed Liverpool six points behind leaders Arsenal, but Torres feels the fact that the Reds are still within touching distance with their rival’s in-spite of their inconsistency is a positive sign.

The £23m hitman insists Liverpool shall be firmly in the mix with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United at the end of the season in the race for the title.

Speaking to the club's website, the Spaniard said: "We have a confidence and a focus which will make us a very dangerous opponent for everyone who has to face us.

"We have maybe not played as well as we are all capable of all the time this season but look at how close we are to the teams at the top of the table. That is highly encouraging for us.

"From what I have seen so far in England we do not have anything to fear from any of our opponents for the title. They are all great teams with a lot of experience and many very, very good players but so are we.

"I am sure that as the season progresses it will come down to a fight between Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea - and we will be in there too.

"There is a winning mentality at Liverpool," he said.

"I look around in the dressing room before a game and in the face of every player and every coach you see the winning expectation.

"They do not go out on to the pitch either hoping they will or praying they will win. They expect it. They have such a belief in their ability that another outcome is just not something they consider.

"It is very new to me but I enjoy that mentality very much and I am thinking this way too now.

"Hopefully we have had all the injuries that we are going to have and for the next few months we can really start to build a momentum that makes us very hard to stop.

"Any team that concedes as few goals as we concede is going to be tough to play against. If we begin to take the chances that we are creating in our games then I am sure those teams above us will start to fear us."

Reds Pursue Permanent Moves For Mascherano And Garay

January could be a busy month for Rafael Benitez, as the Liverpool manager attempts to secure the long-term services of Javier Mascherano and Racing Santander’s Ezequiel Garay.

Argentine Mascherano is currently entering his eleven month of a loan deal at Liverpool and his consistent performances in midfield have quickly gained him an army of admires on Merseyside.

Benitez is reported to be keen on making the ball-winner a permanent squad member in January rather than wait till the summer.

To this end, it is rumoured that the Spaniard has made a major breakthrough in his negotiations with MSI, the company that own Mascherano’s playing rights.

MSI, who also control Carlos Tevez's involvement with Manchester United, initially wanted a reported £17 million fee for the Argentinean international.

However, it is believed Liverpool have agreed for that £17 million fee to include the player’s wages over a five-year spell – beating off interest from Barcelona.

Clearly the confirmation of the player’s stay would please his team-mates, as goalkeeper Jose Reina stated: “It is quite important because Mascherano has been one of our best players so far.

“It was a loan, a clever loan, and we have to take the next step which is to get him for a few years.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool have been boosted in their pursuit of 21-year-old centre back Garay after he revealed he would love to play in England.

Benitez has been in the market for a young, capable defender who can operate at fullback as comfortably as in the centre, since losing out on Gabriel Heinze.

Garay was named in La Liga’s team of the season last year, and he currently has a £14.2 million buy-out clause at Racing Santander.

“To play in England is a dream,” he was quoted as saying in The News of the World.

“My head is in Racing but I would like to progress.”

But Liverpool may face stiff competition for the highly-rated stopper as Manchester United are also thought to be monitoring the defender.

Torres Set For LiverpooL Start

Fernando Torres looks set to make a return to the Liverpool starting line-up to face Newcastle at the weekend.

Liverpool's record signing has not started a game since breaking down in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the end of October, after picking up an abductor muscle injury with Spain.

Torres has remained in Liverpool over the international break to work on his fitness while the rest of Rafa Benitez's strikers have been away with their national sides.

Therefore, the Liverpool Echo claims that Torres is in pole position to make the starting line-up at St James' Park.

Harry Kewell is also in the running for a place in the Liverpool side after coming through 90 minutes of Australia's friendly with Nigeria on Saturday.

Benitez told the Echo: "It was good to see Harry get 90 minutes. I was talking with him and he said it wasn't a high tempo game so he was able to get through it.

"Physically he probably still needs to improve his pace and stamina but he is getting there.

"When you talk about Harry then you talk about a player of quality and ability who can make a big difference to our team. He can give different things to us, especially against teams who play deep and compact."

Liverpool’s Benitez Upbeat As Torres & Kewell Make Good Use Of International Break

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is upbeat as the international break has served to be timely for various reasons and has helped the likes of Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger, Yossi Benayoun and Harry Kewell.

Benitez is particularly happy that Kewell completed full 90 minutes with Australia in a friendly against Nigeria in London, which was the injury-troubled Reds winger’s first full match in more than a year.

The break came at the right time for Torres to recover fully from his thigh problem, and the Spain ace should be ready to start against Newcastle United at the weekend; but Daniel Agger and Yossi Benayoun may not be fully fit in time for the trip to St James’ Park.

Benitez said in the Liverpool Daily Post: “It was good to see Harry get 90 minutes. I was talking with him and he said it wasn't a high tempo game so he was able to get through it.

“Physically he probably still needs to improve his pace and stamina but he is getting there.

“When you talk about Harry then you talk about a player of quality and ability who can make a big difference to our team. He can give different things to us, especially against teams who play deep and compact.”

Double Boost For Benitez

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger could make his comeback at Newcastle in the club's first match after the international break.

The 22-year-old centre-back has been out since early September and has missed 13 matches with a broken metatarsal.

Agger was ruled out of the Denmark squad this week and said: "I'm not going off with my country but I would hope to be ready to play for Liverpool after the international break."

Manager Rafael Benitez is confident the defender is ready for a return at St James's Park in the lunch-time kick-off on November 24.

"Agger is improving a lot, and he has started running now," said the Spaniard.

Yossi Benayoun, who has been ruled out of Israel's clash with Russia on Saturday with a groin problem, also has a chance of facing Newcastle.

"Yossi is working with the physios now. We will have to see if he is fit for Newcastle, it's still too early to say," added the manager.

"He and Agger are maybes but perhaps it will be easier for Agger than for Benayoun."

However, Xabi Alonso, also out with a metatarsal problem, has already been ruled out of the visit to Newcastle.

Benitez added: "Xabi should start running in the next week but he is a 'no' for Newcastle, for sure."

Bayern Target Benitez Reaffirms Commitment To Liverpool

Manager Rafa Benitez has reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool amid reports he has been sounded out by Bayern Munich about replacing under-pressure Ottmar Hitzfeld as manager.

The Spaniard has been made the No1 target for the German giants after it became clear that, despite topping the Bundesliga, Hitzfeld was unlikely to be offered a new contract, following growing tension behind the scenes.

But Benitez told CNN International's 'World Sport' he was committed to working with the club's American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, and revealed his future plans.

"When we started talking about the future, we were very clear, we needed to have a plan," he said.

"We have this plan and we are progressing. The situation is positive in terms of things we wanted to do and what we are doing.

"When I signed the team wasn't winning much. They said to me try to win trophies in the future.

"To play seven finals and win four trophies I think is not bad in three years. So we need to see what happens this year, but we have confidence we can do it.

"We know that we are a top side, we play against a lot of teams that have power, money, and experience.

"Our vision is to be successful, have a new stadium, and trying to improve a little bit the structure of the club. We are going in the right direction."

Juventus To Bid For Peter Crouch?

Juventus are set to make a £10m bid for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch, according to the Daily Mail.

The giant marksman, who scored England’s winner in the 1-0 friendly win against Austria last night, has featured sparingly for Liverpool this season.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is ready to let Crouch go during the January transfer window, providing interested parties meet the 26-year-old’s £10m price tag.

Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri is a huge admirer of Crouch from his time spent managing Premiership club Chelsea.

The Bianconeri already have a good blend of strikers in their first-team squad in the form of David Trezeguet, Alessandro Del Piero, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Raffaele Palladino. However Ranieri believes that Crouch’s huge frame will offer them more of an aerial threat.

In other transfer news, Argentine midfielder Sergio Almiron could make a January move to AEK Athens.

Almiron has been hugely disappointing since signing from Empoli in the summer and currently finds himself behind Cristiano Zanetti, Antonio Nocerino and even Tiago Mendes in the centre-midfield pecking order.

AEK are prepared to spend €8m to bring the 27-year-old to Greece.

Bayern Interested In Benitez?

Bayern Munich have reportedly 'sounded Rafa Benitez out' about becoming their manager at the end of the season.

Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld is unlikely to remain in the job beyond the summer, despite some heavy spending on the likes of Luca Toni, Miroslav Klose and Franck Ribery, players that have taken Munich to the top of the Bundesliga.

The Daily Mail claims that tensions behind the scenes in Bavaria will mean Hitzfeld - in his second spell in charge of Bayern - will not have his contract renewed beyond the end of this season.

Indeed, Hitzfeld has reportedly told friends he will take over as coach of the Switzerland national side after Euro 2008.

The Mail reports that Bayern have already approached Benitez about taking over in Germany, but that the Liverpool manager is likely to rebuff the approach.

English Appeal For Reds Target

Liverpool target Javi Martinez admitted to skysports.com that he is attracted to the prospect of playing in England.

The 19-year-old Athletic Bilbao ace is one of the most highly-rated midfielders in Spain and he is being closely monitored by Rafa Benitez.

Martinez has risen to prominence over the last 18 months following his move from Osasuna's second string last year.

Now he is attracting interest from some of Europe's big hitters and, as skysports.com revealed earlier this week, Liverpool are one of those hot on Martinez's trail.

"I see Premier League matches on the television and the atmosphere is wonderful," he told skysports.com.

"But I don't really know anything [about the interest] as I haven't spoken with anyone.

"My sole mission at the moment is to work hard for Athletic and help the team.

"If an offer does arrive I would look at what is best for two parts, myself and Athletic."

Bilbao have admitted that they are aware of the interest in their prized asset - although they would appear to have few intentions of selling.

"We have not received any formal offers yet," a spokesman told skysports.com.

"We are calm about the situation."

Liverpool Hot On The Trail Of Bilbao Prospect

Rafael Benitez is reported to be tracking the progress of Athletic Bilbao's sensational young midfielder Javi Martinez, with a view to make a January transfer bid.

The Basque playmaker has been outstanding this term at San Mames, carrying on from his successful campaign last season - which was his first in La Liga.

Athletic raised a number of eyebrows in Spain when they splashed out 6 million euros (£4.2million) for him as an untested 18-year-old playing with Osasuna's second string.

But 18 months on, some of Europe's biggest hitters are now tracking the 19-year-old who is also a regular in Spain Under 21 side.

Liverpool are rumoured to heading the queue for the youngster’s services, however they face stiff competition from Fiorentina who have also sent scouts to assess Martinez during recent games.

Although the Basque player operates in midfield, an area that the Reds have an abundance of talent in, he nonetheless offers a distinct different type of quality.

Martinez prefers to roam free in midfield and operates best in the last third as a schemer and creator of goals, a player that perhaps Yossi Benayoun comes closest in comparison.

With whispers abound that the under-performing Momo Sissoko may be leaving Anfield, room may be freed-up soon for the arrival of Martinez.

But Benitez also knows he is not the only man looking to land Martinez - whose current get-out clause stands at 24 million euros (£17.1million) as he has more than four years remaining on his contract.

Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli was hugely impressed by Martinez in pre-season after the two sides met in a friendly and he has been following him closely ever since.

Now a battle could ensue, although Benitez would always be seen as favourite given his continued close links with his homeland.

Liverpool are also known to have been impressed by Martinez's team-mate Fernando Amorebieta and a double bid could yet be a possibility.

Benitez Looking For More From Leto, Leiva And Babel

With a hectic schedule of fixtures around the corner, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has urged the younger players in his squad to hit top form sooner rather than later.

Benitez is well-aware of the packed period of football than comes at Christmas in the English calendar, and understands the demand for rotation in places on squads.

Therefore Benitez wants his fringe players to step their game up as they are more likely to be making appearances in the first team over the coming weeks.

Although the Spaniard is happy with the way the likes of Ryan Babel, Lucas Leiva and Sebastian Leto have adapted to the English game, he nonetheless is demanding more from them.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Benitez said: “Our squad is really good and hopefully the strength of the squad will become more clear as the season goes on.

“Some young players, especially the likes of Sebastian Leto, Lucas Leiva and Ryan Babel, will grow and progress during the season and I am sure they will play better.

“I am not disappointed with them but I think they do have the potential to play better.”

The Reds, who are looking to win their first Premiership title for 18 years, are currently six points behind the leaders Arsenal.

He said: “I feel that we are in a much better position than we were at this time last season.

“We have more points but if you think about the games and analyse the matches against Birmingham City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, they were three games that we could have won, so maybe we could be top of the table .

“You cannot be 100% happy because I know that we could have won these games, so there is plenty of room for improvement.”