Rafa Benitez will have to revise his contract demands if he is to secure a new deal from Liverpool's American owners.
The announcement from Tom Hicks and George Gillett that they are now ready to open talks to secure Benitez's future prompted the Spaniard to reveal that he wants a five-year agreement to be secured by the end of the month.
But while the American pair want to pacify both Benitez and the Liverpool fans - who want to see their ownership of the Anfield club come to an end - they will not sanction a contract that will expire in 2013.
Chief executive Rick Parry is expected to begin negotiations with Benitez's advisers this week.
But Liverpool will not be railroaded into bowing to their manager's insistence that a deal should be concluded by the end of November.
An Anfield insider said: "In American sports it is unusual for a coach to be given the kind of long-term contract Benitez is looking for.
"Such deals are normally extended by one or sometimes two more years and Rafa already has 18 months left on his current contract. There is obviously room for negotiation, but these things often take time."
Benitez revealed to Sunday Mirror Sport last week how a contract stand-off at Valencia prompted him to quit the Spanish club for Liverpool in 2004 just weeks after leading them to a La Liga and UEFA Cup double.
That prompted the two Americans to contact Benitez during the week with assurances about a new deal.
The announcement from Tom Hicks and George Gillett that they are now ready to open talks to secure Benitez's future prompted the Spaniard to reveal that he wants a five-year agreement to be secured by the end of the month.
But while the American pair want to pacify both Benitez and the Liverpool fans - who want to see their ownership of the Anfield club come to an end - they will not sanction a contract that will expire in 2013.
Chief executive Rick Parry is expected to begin negotiations with Benitez's advisers this week.
But Liverpool will not be railroaded into bowing to their manager's insistence that a deal should be concluded by the end of November.
An Anfield insider said: "In American sports it is unusual for a coach to be given the kind of long-term contract Benitez is looking for.
"Such deals are normally extended by one or sometimes two more years and Rafa already has 18 months left on his current contract. There is obviously room for negotiation, but these things often take time."
Benitez revealed to Sunday Mirror Sport last week how a contract stand-off at Valencia prompted him to quit the Spanish club for Liverpool in 2004 just weeks after leading them to a La Liga and UEFA Cup double.
That prompted the two Americans to contact Benitez during the week with assurances about a new deal.
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