Benitez hits out over contract claims

Benitez's contract talks have once again grabbed the spotlight, amid claims that he has demanded parity with Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson but the Liverpool boss is furious that they are being depicted as money-orientated.

"I am surprised that I have seen that I was demanding more money. That is not true," said Benitez. "I told my agent when he went into the talks to not talk about money, the question was about the length of the contract, and after that it was my role. The last question was about the money."

He added: "So when you see things said (about money), it means people are either not telling the truth or that people have very bad information or they want to create a mess. I was very disappointed with this. I say again, it is not true.

"I was not asking for anything, just telling my advisors to go to the meeting and hear what they (the owners) want. The owners were talking about an extension."

Benitez claims he is more concerned with seeing Robbie Keane prove he is worth the £20million price tag while ensuring Liverpool finish top of their group ahead of Atletico Madrid.

"We want to be top of the group, if only to ensure that we are at home in the second leg of the first knock-out stage match in the next round," he added.

"It is debatable whether it is important to finish first or second, because you can come up against some very good sides in the next phase who have finished second in their group."

He added: "But as a club we always want to win. And that is the aim now. I will probably utilise the squad more, and I have left Dirk Kuyt at home to give him a rest.

"There is a very small injury problem, but I want him to have a rest after playing so many games this season."