Jamie Redknapp has lifted the lid on the increasing friction between Kop boss Rafa Benitez and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, hinting the England star could quit the club after the World Cup finals.
Redknapp says the pair are heading for a bitter bust-up over tactics.
And he said last Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United is a prime example of where it’s all going wrong between Benitez and Gerro, 29.
Sky TV pundit Redknapp, who played with friend Gerrard at Anfield during his 11 years at the club, said: “Gerrard is at his best in central midfield.
“But with 12 minutes to go and Liverpool chasing the game at Old Trafford, Benitez brings Alberto Aquilani on and pushes Steven wide left.
“That will have infuriated Steven. He doesn’t want to be out there. He’s less effective there. Then Benitez switches him again when he brings Yossi Benayoun on and he moves him over to the right.
“Why? Liverpool were losing 2-1 and needed Steven to be in his best position and at his most effective.
“I have played with Steven and that will have infuriated him.
“That’s where Benitez gets it wrong.”
Redknapp said Benitez’s tactics also had a similar effect on striker Fernando Torres.
The world-class hitman signalled his frustration at Old Trafford last week by destroying the penalty spot before Wayne Rooney put United level with the spot-kick. Redknapp claimed: “Gerrard and Torres make Liverpool tick – but Benitez just doesn’t use them properly.
And in a bitter parting shot, he added: “You don’t see Sir Alex Ferguson doing that with his best players.”
Benitez himself, though, has looked to smooth things over after a meeting with Gerrard and his senior stars to paint more financially sound, future for Liverpool for next season and beyond.
And Managing Director Christian Purslow also paid a visit to Liverpool’s Melwood training ground on Wednesday to address the Kop stars and inform them officially about the possible £110million investment from the Rhone Group.
The players have also been informed that £25m-plus will be injected by the same global SDHp investment firm to go towards buying new players this summer. Now pressure will be mounted on co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to back the Rhone move.
Liverpool’s debt is currently £237m with RBS – and the bank has given the club until the end of the season to slash that by £100m.
Hicks and Gillett have been looking themselves for extra capital but time is now pressing for them to agree to this outside cashpot.
Benitez said: “We are working behind the scenes and I have confidence we can move forward because I know we’re trying to do that in a good SDHp direction. I’m quite positive.
“My last conversation with Stevie was very positive and he has a great determination to improve and play. “Stevie is the captain. He knows we have to improve on the pitch and then it will be easier to change things."
Redknapp says the pair are heading for a bitter bust-up over tactics.
And he said last Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United is a prime example of where it’s all going wrong between Benitez and Gerro, 29.
Sky TV pundit Redknapp, who played with friend Gerrard at Anfield during his 11 years at the club, said: “Gerrard is at his best in central midfield.
“But with 12 minutes to go and Liverpool chasing the game at Old Trafford, Benitez brings Alberto Aquilani on and pushes Steven wide left.
“That will have infuriated Steven. He doesn’t want to be out there. He’s less effective there. Then Benitez switches him again when he brings Yossi Benayoun on and he moves him over to the right.
“Why? Liverpool were losing 2-1 and needed Steven to be in his best position and at his most effective.
“I have played with Steven and that will have infuriated him.
“That’s where Benitez gets it wrong.”
Redknapp said Benitez’s tactics also had a similar effect on striker Fernando Torres.
The world-class hitman signalled his frustration at Old Trafford last week by destroying the penalty spot before Wayne Rooney put United level with the spot-kick. Redknapp claimed: “Gerrard and Torres make Liverpool tick – but Benitez just doesn’t use them properly.
And in a bitter parting shot, he added: “You don’t see Sir Alex Ferguson doing that with his best players.”
Benitez himself, though, has looked to smooth things over after a meeting with Gerrard and his senior stars to paint more financially sound, future for Liverpool for next season and beyond.
And Managing Director Christian Purslow also paid a visit to Liverpool’s Melwood training ground on Wednesday to address the Kop stars and inform them officially about the possible £110million investment from the Rhone Group.
The players have also been informed that £25m-plus will be injected by the same global SDHp investment firm to go towards buying new players this summer. Now pressure will be mounted on co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to back the Rhone move.
Liverpool’s debt is currently £237m with RBS – and the bank has given the club until the end of the season to slash that by £100m.
Hicks and Gillett have been looking themselves for extra capital but time is now pressing for them to agree to this outside cashpot.
Benitez said: “We are working behind the scenes and I have confidence we can move forward because I know we’re trying to do that in a good SDHp direction. I’m quite positive.
“My last conversation with Stevie was very positive and he has a great determination to improve and play. “Stevie is the captain. He knows we have to improve on the pitch and then it will be easier to change things."
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