Source: Daily_Mail
HATCHET MAN: Cut out the mock shock Rafa - you're no naive victim in the Liverpool contract battle
Rafael Benitez says he was shocked to have heard rumours that he was about to resign as Liverpool [LNB]manager.[LNB]Yet after spending months conducting what appear to be extremely difficult contract negotiations the Spaniard still has not signed a new deal.[LNB]Despite reassuring his supporters that he will be staying after last night's fantastic night for the club at Real Madrid there are still fine details to be resolved and his control freakery has not yet been completely satisfied.[LNB] [LNB]We've delivered our side of the bargain: Liverpool owners Hicks and Gillett have not Benitez's success go to his head[LNB]So to feign shock that the implication of the delays and bickering led to suggestions Benitez was going to quit is an insult to our intelligence.[LNB]He probably will sign the deal now - to go back on what looks like a promise would be damaging - but that doesn't mean he should be cast as some naive victim of the new contract process.[LNB] More from Hatchet Man... HATCHET MAN: Plastic pitches and reserve teams: Don't Villa and Spurs just love the UEFA Cup experience?[LNB]26/02/09 HATCHET MAN: Happy, injury-free and motivated - childish Drogba forgets to complain and hobble now Guus rules the Stamford Bridge roost [LNB]26/02/09 HATCHET MAN: Toure, late for the game, late to ditch moneybags City, late to pledge loyalty to the Gunners - what a loyal club man he is[LNB]26/02/09 HATCHET MAN: There's nothing special about Mourinho any more - Inter looked second-rate against United[LNB]25/02/09 HATCHET MAN: Memo to Martin O'Neill - You're either a poor manager or Aston Villa are a poor side[LNB]25/02/09 HATCHET MAN: Torres is no toro, he's a whippet so bully-boy Pepe's threat to snuff out the 'big powerful' Liverpool man is Real-ly stupid[LNB]25/02/09 HATCHET MAN: Carling Cup Final boost for Spurs as worse Brazilian keeper than Gomes unearthed in Spain[LNB]25/02/09 HATCHET MAN: Unprofessional Toure should be told: This is the Champions League, not the Sunday League[LNB]25/02/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE[LNB] From the stories which have emerged during the protracted saga it looks like Benitez has played every angle for all it is worth and rumours that he was going to walk out cannot have done him any harm.[LNB]The club's owners have no doubt been tough negotiators too and they have allowed the situation to fester, but there are two sides to every argument and Benitez, he of so many facts, should at least own up to that.[LNB] [LNB]
