Rafa Benitez's position at Liverpool appears safe for the moment, as Liverpool may not be able to afford to sack him.
Benitez signed a five-year contract in March, thought to be worth in the region of £4.5million a year, meaning it would cost close to £20million to remove the Spaniard.
And that is before clearing out of Benitez's extensive backroom staff is taken into account, which will add considerable cost to any change in management.
Benitez will be further heartened by words from Liverpool co-owner George Gillett.
"We have just entered into a long-term agreement with Rafa," he said, recalling the improved deal Benitez signed in March to keep him on Merseyside until 2014.
"Our family is extraordinarily pleased with him, we believe he is absolutely as good as there is in the business.
"The run of results disappoints everybody. Certainly, it disappoints the fans and it disappoints Rafa.
"I have seen his television interview and I know he is disappointed. We are all disappointed, but we are in this together."
However, when asked about potential transfer funds for the January window, Gillett refused to be drawn.
"I don't think that is something I am prepared to comment on at the moment," the American said.
Your Comments
lewismarley
"May I remind my fellow Kopites that the same thing happened to King Kenny the season we won the league."
Benmrules
""get on eiwht your lot and we'll get on with supporting our great club, whilst not taking a bit of interest in what you do" - need i mention the hipocricy there? there are always at least as many Pool fans commenting on United issues as there are the other way around, sometimes more.
and of course technically Fergie vs. the ref boiled down to a United issue after he got charged - how many comments from Pool fans were there after that? hundreds. but you know what, it doesn't matter. has has already been pointed out, it's a competetive game, and fans have a great deal to say on the affairs of their rivals, and not all of the comments made are by raving lunatics who don't know what the feck they're on about.
the reluctance to accept the point of view of others is usually due to a fear of what they have to say, or an inability to intelligently reply. either that or just sheer bloody-mindedness."
exodia
"the article says it all...Gillett kinda recognises the fact that Benitez's contract is too expensive for him to be sacked right now. Unless a rich buyer shows up, looks like Liverpool will have to do with the guy. It was a financial blunder to extend the guy's contract in March by another 5 years. A 2 year-extension would have been sensible, with a further extension should he have succeeded in securing the premiership. Titles are not decided in March, it is what Chelsea did to Avram Grant lately ... learn from your opponents...they sometimes make sensible decisions..."
mac391
"Liverpool's squad is thin. Rafa bought players like ngog, lucas, who just don't fit and missed out on players like villa, barry, Just these 2 changes would have made liverpool a stronger squad. Rafa knows what he's doing, he just doesn't have the backing of the americans or the money. Roll on sunday!! its never been a better time to play manu, theyr'e crap when whey don't know who their up against.. 2-0 liverpool and manu hit the bar 3 times in the last 7 seconds!! of 15 mins extra time he he!!"
Naz050
"Im Beggin The Owners To Get Rid Of Him Unless He Starts Winning Its Annoying Me Liverpool One Of THe Most Succesful Clubs In The World Losing 4 games in a row
sURELY They Can Find 20 million Some Where "
Manc_e_doodle
""simple question for Man U fans.
"Why are you so interested in what Liverpool do,or don't do?"
Why are you so interested in what Man Utd fans have to say? This is a football forum, not a Liverpool one..."
markperrin
"john barnes is broke and out of work"
sareensonic
"pacha202. you're take on the matches against ac milan show pure jealousy. a lot can be said against the fact that liverpool won in 2005, but the main thing is we came back against all odds without having to play exceptionally well, instead with true passion. 2007, put it straight, we deserved to have won that. any decent person who saw that match would argue the same but i'm not complaining cos that's how football is a significant portion of the time. as tony mac said, non-liverpool should keep out of liverpool business. many of you, respectively, don't know what the hell you're talking about. unless you're a liverpool fan or brilliant critic you'll understand the current situation we're in. i'd stick with rafa even if it costed nothing to get rid of him rather than unsettling the whole of the football club."
Jelley07
"He should go, he's a disgrace to football"
buzzard
"Nice try Tony Mac, but your "club" plays in a competitive league of twenty teams; by definition of the word "competitive" (look it up) this means that fans of one club are always interested in how they stack up against their "competitors" (look it up). What you're really saying is that your team is absolute drivel and it makes you sad when those of us whose teams are not drivel point this out to you. You're welcome."
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