Rafa Benitez has conceded for the first time Liverpool will consider bids

[Flight]

Rafa could sell star duo

 

Gerrard and Torres: Reds' prized assets

 

 

 

Rafa Benitez has conceded for the first time Liverpool will consider bids for star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

 

Since the Reds accepted a £30million bid from Chelsea for skipper Gerrard back in 2005, Benitez has always insisted he would never entertain offers for his prized assets.

 

Joining Gerrard in that category is goal-machine Torres, who has become one of the top forwards in world football since arriving on Merseyside in 2007.

 

Manchester City's reported interest in the Spanish international last season was met by a definitive rebuff from Benitez, who has previously claimed he would quit the Reds if the striker was allowed to leave.

 

Benitez's guarantee of UEFA Champions League football next season is by no means a certainty as Liverpool trail Tottenham, Aston Villa and City this term and the ramifications of missing out on the financial windfall of a top-four finish could be crippling for the Reds.

 

And Benitez has given the first indication that the five-time European champions would be forced to consider offers due to their lack of funds, although the Spanish tactician does not expect the scenario to materialise.

 

 

 

"We would have a conversation and decide what's the best for the club," said Benitez.

 

"I've said before I want to keep the best players here because that means we can be closer to the top four. They are the most important.

 

"We gave extensions to players because we want to keep the squad together.

 

"If you ask any manager in the world they will tell you they want more money and want to spend but at this moment we have to do what's best for the club.

 

"That means managing the situation for each player and see what happens."

 

 

 

http://msnsport.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12040_5851064,00.html

 

 

 

So what's this all about ? It doesn't give the context of what is said or what he is asked.

 

Mischief making by the press or was Rafa asked if the club would consider bids for Nando and Stevie ?

[Frosty Jack]

Haven't seen the video but I understand he was asked specifically about those players.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

I firmly believe that either (a) the banks are pulling the strings or (b) they are leaving the owners with very little room to manouvre.

 

The was extended for 1 year last Summer and that is the way its going to be, they will keep the owners on a very tight leash. The only way to change that would be to offer a very large prepayment in favour of the remaining debt receiving a longer and more manageable repayment structure. The only potential we have to offer that deal from internal sources is the sale of Gerrard and/or Torres. Externally, it would come from new investment or the owners liquidating their other investments (pfff, unlikely).

 

I think Rafa realises just how hard the banks are pushing and how helpless/hopeless the owners are to remedy the situation that is not to the detriment to the playing side of the club.

[Billy Dane]

Wonder if Rafa suggested the journo should ask him the specific question prior to the press conference.

[Flight]

Wonder if Rafa suggested the journo should ask him the specific question prior to the press conference.

 

 

I wouldn't be surprised. Seems to me Rafa is doing everything he can without risking the sack to let the supporters know how rough things are behind the scene.

[dorgie]

I wouldn't be surprised. Seems to me Rafa is doing everything he can without risking the sack to let the supporters know how rough things are behind the scene.

 

He also said a couple of weeks ago that he would resign if Torres was sold. Seems to me that Rafa is playing a game here, but it's hard to know what his aim is.

[Flight]

He also said a couple of weeks ago that he would resign if Torres was sold. Seems to me that Rafa is playing a game here, but it's hard to know what his aim is.

 

 

1. Rafa says he would resign if they sold Torres.

 

2. Rafa says the club would sell Torres if the right bid where made, not that he would be happy with it or sanction it.

 

 

He hasn't contradicted himself.

[Tones]

He also said a couple of weeks ago that he would resign if Torres was sold. Seems to me that Rafa is playing a game here, but it's hard to know what his aim is.

 

He hasnt said he wont quit if hes sold. Position hasnt changed yet.

[dorgie]

1. Rafa says he would resign if they sold Torres.

 

2. Rafa says the club would sell Torres if the right bid where made, not that he would be happy with it or sanction it.

 

 

He hasn't contradicted himself.

 

 

He hasnt said he wont quit if hes sold. Position hasnt changed yet.

 

I agree that the statements are not contradictory. What we don't know is why he's saying these things and why he's saying them now.

[Couldbe]

Hicks and Gillete were looking for £100M investment to reduce club debt lately , so far nothing, all Rafa is doing is highlighting that the 2 s***s probally have a fall back plan of selling key players to raise the £100M, namely Torres, Mascherano, Agger and Reina the most likely.

[dorgie]

If Torres or Gerrard were sold solely to get those 2 c**** out of a financial mess, then I think this would tip the scales towards someone having an attempt on their lives. Seriously.

Edited January 10, 2010 by dorgie

[Spion kop]

I'm really tired of only having bad news now.

[Maldini]

He also said a couple of weeks ago that he would resign if Torres was sold. Seems to me that Rafa is playing a game here, but it's hard to know what his aim is.

 

It wasn't a couple of weeks ago, it was a few months back.

[Gomez]

I'm really tired of only having bad news now.

 

Voronin's sale has hit you really badly hasn't it?

[Frosty Jack]

If Torres or Gerrard were sold solely to get those 2 c**** out of a financial mess, then I think this would tip the scales towards someone having an attempt on their lives. Seriously.

 

Hicks set a precedent with Corinthians. Sold all their valuable players and they were eventually relegated. I don't put anything past them.

[Maldini]

I think they'll do anything to make sure that loan is paid off because as soon as it is everything they get for us is pure profit. They could still get £200m for us even if we were a Championship team.

[Frosty Jack]

Remember the mysterious "player specific" transfer budget? explains taking the transfer profits and not reinvesting it in the squad.

[growler]

i reckon 75mil for torres will see him sold, very close to the stadium work starting... feckers.

[Swipe]

I hope this is just politics on Rafa's part.

 

I imagine they've been told in no uncertain terms what would happen if SG and FT were sold.

 

However, after that, I reckon they'll have no problems selling other members of the squad and taking the cash to pay their debts.

 

I hope they die.

[pricey]

but he's also just rejected a pretty reasonable offer for Babel. If money really was that much of an issue surely he'd be snapping Birmingham's hand off for the offer?

[Swipe]

but he's also just rejected a pretty reasonable offer for Babel. If money really was that much of an issue surely he'd be snapping Birmingham's hand off for the offer?

 

Yeah, but that's now. Even if what Rafa said is genuine, then any sale of Torres and Gerrard would be in the future.

 

Babel will go eventually. I also reckon Masch will go to Barca in the summer. Be interesting to see how much of the money Rafa is allocated to buy a replacement.

 

Of course, I live in hope those two c**** are bought out by then.

[CarraLegend]

but he's also just rejected a pretty reasonable offer for Babel. If money really was that much of an issue surely he'd be snapping Birmingham's hand off for the offer?

 

Babel didnt want to go.

[Flasher]

Babel didnt want to go.

 

Not to mention that the money would not be given to Rafa anyway, so he's better off keeping the player.

[charlie clown]

Not to mention that the money would not be given to Rafa anyway, so he's better off keeping the player.

 

to me that's the only reason babel isn't out the door now - one poor player down but the chance to buy a new quality player in his place vs one poor player down and no replacement.

[Rex Ham]

to me that's the only reason babel isn't out the door now - one poor player down but the chance to buy a new quality player in his place vs one poor player down and no replacement.

 

Yep - lesson learned from the Keane debacle.