Relieved Benitez Dismisses Exit Rumours

Rafael Benitez rubbished suggestions that he expects to be sacked as Liverpool manager in the summer.

Newspaper reports today claimed that Benitez was convinced Liverpool's co-owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, planned to oust him because of their public row over transfer policy, and because they had not backed him or given him enough money to spend in the January transfer market.

However, despite rumours linking Real Madrid with a move for Benitez, the former Valencia manager insists he wants to stay at Anfield for the foreseeable future.

Speaking after the Reds' 1-1 FA Cup third round draw at Luton, Benitez said of the rumour: "That is not true. I love the club, I love the fans. I'm really happy here and I want to stay for a long time."

Asked if he was sure that he would still be manager at Anfield next season, he replied on Sky Sports: "I think so.

"To help the situation we need to keep working hard and keep winning."

Regarding today's match, Benitez admitted to being relieved that the Reds are still in the FA Cup after Luton gave them a real test at Kenilworth Road.

The Hatters earned a deserved replay at Anfield when John Arne Riise put the ball into his own net three minutes after Peter Crouch had scored for Liverpool against the run of play.

Benitez, though, is confident his side can finish the job off in the Anfield replay.

"In the first half we had some chances and they had some chances," said the Spaniard.

"After we scored the goal, we conceded a goal three minutes later.

"I am happy because we will have another game at Anfield. That is positive.

"We are in the Cup and we will continue trying to win. I am confident it will be
different at Anfield."


Blackwell's Pride

Meanwhile, Luton striker Drew Talbot - the man-of-the-match - thought the draw was a "fair result."

Talbot said on Sky Sports 1: "It's Liverpool - they're not up there for no reason but we kept plugging away and I think a draw was a fair result."

Luton created enough chances to beat a much-rotated Liverpool XI that was without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

And Hatters' manager Kevin Blackwell admitted that his team could have won the match.

"Clearly, we could rue the chances we missed," said Blackwell.

But he stressed: "What a fantastic performance by the players. As a manager, I'm very proud of the players today."

The team's replay at Anfield will bring in vital extra revenue to Luton, who were placed in administration in November and need to find a buyer by 17:00 tomorrow or be forced to sell their best players.

After such an impressive, televised performance by his team, Blackwell added: "I'm hopeful that makes us a more attractive proposition.

"Hopefully, after tomorrow one or two things might happen."