Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool can't afford to sack Benitez! Firing would trigger £16m pay-off
Rafa Benitez will have £16million paid immediately into his bank account if Liverpool sack him this summer. [LNB]The under-fire Anfield manager has a clause in the five-year contract he signed in March 2009 which dictates that his £4m-a-season deal is paid up in full within 24 hours of him being dismissed. [LNB] In doubt: Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard could move on in the summer [LNB]Benitez and his representatives negotiated the terms when he was ina position of strength at the club, having won the battle for powerwith former chief executive Rick Parry and gained control of alltransfer business.[LNB] It helped that the team were also performing well en route tofinishing runners-up to Manchester United in the league last season. [LNB] Pay-off: Benitez would be owed £16m by Liverpool if they sack him in the summer[LNB][LNB]Now, however, the clause is one of the reasons Benitez remains inhis job after what has been a disastrous seven months for Liverpool. [LNB]Their poor league form and early elimination from the ChampionsLeague have led to doubts about the Anfield futures of Fernando Torresand Steven Gerrard and put Benitez under enormous pressure. [LNB]But Anfield's American owners have not stuck by Benitez out ofloyalty and the belief that he can turn things around at the club butbecause of the expense of getting rid of him. [LNB] Liverpool set to keep hold of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres after £100m investment offerTorres ready to quit Liverpool: Dismal season forces striker to ponder futureGary Lineker: Jose Mourinho will be back at Liverpool or Manchester CityLIVERPOOL FC
