Real Madrid are ready to exploit the uncertainty at Anfield with a move for Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard.
The Spanish club have already made discreet enquiries about the England midfielder, and are prepared to follow up with a £30million bid to take him to the Bernabeu.
Gerrard must decide whether now is the right time to quit Anfield
Madrid have tried before to prise Gerrard away from his home-town club but that was turned down flat three years ago. He has rejected Chelsea twice too despite getting to the brink of a move to the London club. But this time his loyalty to Liverpool will be tested to the limit.
Like Fernando Torres, the Anfield superstar is worried about the future of the club and the direction it has taken over the past season.
He has been visibly and verbally at odds with manager Rafa Benitez in the latter stages of the season, and is closely monitoring the situation over the manager’s position at the club.
Benitez held a meeting on Thursday with new chairman Martin Broughton and MD Christian Purslow, which ended in stalemate after talks over the Spaniard’s future.
Benitez looks certain to be in charge for Liverpool’s final game of the season at Hull on Sunday.
But beyond that his position is uncertain, after he failed to secure all the conditions he demanded to remain.
A statement issued afterwards suggested that further meetings will take place. But ominously it added “there was an exchange of views on issues of concern to both the board and manager” – suggesting that the unhappiness Benitez has expressed in recent weeks is mutual.
There is a suspicion that, should Benitez remain, senior figures like Gerrard, Torres and Jamie Carragher will leave Anfield. And Madrid are clearly determined to exploit that.
What is certain is that Gerrard and Torres will keep their options open as the end of the season approaches.
Neither will rule out a departure if they feel there are not sufficient resources to mount a serious rebuilding program at the club.
Even if Benitez leaves then there is no certainty either will stay, and representatives of the players are aware of interest from various clubs, including Madrid.
Manchester City and Chelsea are admirers of both players too.
The Spanish club have already made discreet enquiries about the England midfielder, and are prepared to follow up with a £30million bid to take him to the Bernabeu.
Gerrard must decide whether now is the right time to quit Anfield
Madrid have tried before to prise Gerrard away from his home-town club but that was turned down flat three years ago. He has rejected Chelsea twice too despite getting to the brink of a move to the London club. But this time his loyalty to Liverpool will be tested to the limit.
Like Fernando Torres, the Anfield superstar is worried about the future of the club and the direction it has taken over the past season.
He has been visibly and verbally at odds with manager Rafa Benitez in the latter stages of the season, and is closely monitoring the situation over the manager’s position at the club.
Benitez held a meeting on Thursday with new chairman Martin Broughton and MD Christian Purslow, which ended in stalemate after talks over the Spaniard’s future.
Benitez looks certain to be in charge for Liverpool’s final game of the season at Hull on Sunday.
But beyond that his position is uncertain, after he failed to secure all the conditions he demanded to remain.
A statement issued afterwards suggested that further meetings will take place. But ominously it added “there was an exchange of views on issues of concern to both the board and manager” – suggesting that the unhappiness Benitez has expressed in recent weeks is mutual.
There is a suspicion that, should Benitez remain, senior figures like Gerrard, Torres and Jamie Carragher will leave Anfield. And Madrid are clearly determined to exploit that.
What is certain is that Gerrard and Torres will keep their options open as the end of the season approaches.
Neither will rule out a departure if they feel there are not sufficient resources to mount a serious rebuilding program at the club.
Even if Benitez leaves then there is no certainty either will stay, and representatives of the players are aware of interest from various clubs, including Madrid.
Manchester City and Chelsea are admirers of both players too.
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