Benitez keen to keep Anfield job

Updated 11.57 Tue Jan 15 2008
Keywords: george gillett, tom hicks, jurgen klinsmann, rafael benitez, liverpool, sport, premier league, football

Rafael Benitez wants to stay at Liverpool despite the club's admission they considered Jurgen Klinsmann for the job.

Co-owner Tom Hicks revealed he held talks with Klinsmann last year at a time when it seemed Benitez might leave.

"He does not want to leave" - Rafael Benitez

That has fuelled rumours that Benitez may still be forced out, but his agent Manuel Garcia Quillon said: "Rafa wants to stay at Liverpool. He is happy with the club, with the supporters and with the city. He does not want to leave."

Liverpool face an FA Cup third round replay against League One side Luton Town at Anfield.

With administrators in charge of Luton, five players have been sold since the 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road and more players expected to leave before the end of the transfer window.

Benitez said: "We want to win the FA Cup again, it is a fantastic competition and we will put out our strongest team and hope to progress to the next round."

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