Now Boss claim that Liverpool Board broke promises
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Angry Rafa Benitez claims Liverpool broke promises on new players
Why lie? Rafael Benitez has plunged his Liverpool future into doubt with claims about the club's transfer policy
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has opened the door to an Anfield farewell by accusing the club of breaking promises over new signings when he signed a five-year contract last summer.
Benitez, who is being actively pursued by Italian giants Juventus, effectively put himself on the market by drawing comparisons between his current situation at Liverpool and when he walked out on Valencia in 2004 after he and the Spanish club clashed over control of transfers.
The Spaniard will lead out his Liverpool team for their final home game against Chelsea on Sunday knowing that a victory could help bitter rivals Manchester United overtake their own record of 18 league titles.
But it is his own future that dominates the build-up to the match from Liverpool’s point of view, following Thursday’s dismal Europa League exit against Atletico Madrid.
Benitez said: ‘I decided to sign an extension because the squad was good and the money was going to be there. But the conditions changed.
‘We’ve had a bad season and hopefully things will be different in the future, but at the moment I can’t talk about the future because I don’t know what’s going on.
‘I left Valencia (for Liverpool in 2004) because conditions changed. It was not a question of my money that I stayed at Liverpool. I said No to other massive offers. I decided to stay under certain conditions and they have changed.
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‘The players share the same frustrations. I know how they feel because I’ve been talking to them all season. The season has not been good, that is clear. We know why and what has to change.’
Benitez’s stance has exasperated Liverpool, who insist his job is safe despite a fourth season in a row without a trophy, and that has encouraged Juventus who want to take him to Turin.
But with Liverpool certain to demand compensation and the manager himself not sure about taking Juve’s offer, the matter may not be resolved as quickly as the Italians would like.