Liverpool Football Club News

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Benitez dismisses exit talk

13 Jan 2008 - 10:48:03

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez claimed he was unconcerned by speculation surrounding his future despite dropping more points with Saturday's 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough.

The Reds are 12 points adrift of leaders Manchester United after drawing their third consecutive Premier League game.

And it could have been worse for Benitez had Fernando Torres not equalised George Boateng's opener midway through the first half at the Riverside.

Fourth-placed Liverpool are now level on points with Everton, Manchester City and Aston Villa, but afterwards Benitez denied speculation about his future was a distraction.

When asked if he was struggling to cope with the constant rumours about his future, he replied: "No, not really.

"I am trying to concentrate on the next game. You could see in the second half, we were changing things because we were just analysing the game.

"You must concentrate on games and not anything else because you cannot change those things.

"You can play well, you can create chances, but you need to win. You can talk and talk, but at the end of the day, you must win on the pitch.

"When you talk about a draw away, sometimes you think that is good, but especially when you are trying to reduce the gap and be closer, you must be disappointed."