Source: Daily_Mail
Rafa Benitez for Liverpool? Roy Hodgson insists he's still the right man
Under pressure? Hodgson hasn't won over everyone at Anfield[LNB]Roy Hodgson has dismissed Rafa Benitez as a threat to his job and insisted the Spaniard's return to Merseyside has not placed him under any extra pressure. [LNB]Benitez's agent Manuel Garcia Quilon was in Milan last night negotiating the financial settlement with Inter that will end his unhappy six-month spell at the San Siro. [LNB]The former Liverpool manager returned to his family home on the Wirral after Inter's success in the Club World Cup and his presence has created a huge stir among supporters at Anfield, who have been ambivalent towards Hodgson.[LNB]Banners were spotted around Liverpool city centre reading: 'All I want 4 Xmas is Rafa' and 'Rafa you belong in Liverpool'.[LNB]But Hodgson, who succeeded Benitez in July, is not concerned that his predecessor is out of work and brushed off the idea the man who led Liverpool to Champions League success in 2005 has become a thorn in his side.[LNB]Hodgson said: 'If Rafa Benitez was the right man for the job, it would have been wiser not to let him go and then after six months bring him back again.[LNB]'This job will always have lots of people linked with it. When you are in one of the top jobs in the country, it would be very strange if other people were not linked with your job. [LNB]'I'm sure a lot of people are very envious of my position at this club and would like to take my place.' [LNB] Shown the door: Benitez was sacked by Liverpool in the summer after finishing seventh in the League[LNB]This is not the first time Hodgson has found a former Anfield manager casting a huge shadow over him.[LNB]WhenLiverpool suffered an ignominious home defeat by Blackpool in October and when they meekly surrendered to Stoke a month later a section of the fans chanted for the return of club legend Kenny Dalglish as manager. [LNB]However, Hodgson remains unfazed and isadamant Liverpool's fortunes will pick up over what he describes as'the season-changing' Christmas period starting, weather-permitting, on Boxing Day at Blackpool. [LNB]Steven Gerrard will return to the starting line-up at Bloomfield Road now he has fully recovered from the hamstring injury which kept him out for a month but there will be no place for Joe Cole. [LNB]The England midfielder's dream move from Chelsea has turned sour as Cole has experienced what he described as 'the worst run of form of my career'.[LNB] Head in hands time: Joe Cole has failed to sparkle at Anfield - and Roy Hodgson is not guaranteeing him a start[LNB]Colehas never operated in the position he thought had been earmarked for him in the 'hole' behind Fernando Torres but Hodgson believes that is a flimsy excuse for the 29-year-old's failure to produce. [LNB]'Hehas got to do it on the field of play,' said Hodgson. 'Joe is a midfield player what is the right position for a midfield player? Steven Gerrard has played all over the midfield for as long as I can remember. He is a good footballer and knows how to play.[LNB]'Steven would have been fit to playagainst Fulham. It doesn't hurt to have an extra week to get sometraining in but what he needs now is matches. [LNB]'Joe has got to come to terms withthe fact he has come here after an unsuccessful period at Chelsea withhigh hopes of taking Liverpool by storm but, unfortunately, it has notworked out like that. But that's life. [LNB]'He should have great confidence inhis ability because he is a very good footballer. He should be lookingto convince myself and everyone else that he is a player who can helpLiverpool win. He couldn't say that has been the case so far. [LNB] Still the main man: Gerrard (right) is playing in the role Cole wants at Anfield[LNB]'But he is training well and hisconfidence is returning. A good game and a goal or two could turnthings around. But our group is getting stronger and the only thing Icould say at the moment is, 'We are happy to have you, Joe, but I can'toffer you anything more than a chance'. [LNB]'It is up to him to take that chancewhen it comes along. I have not lost faith in him. But I can't denythat the start he would have liked has not materialised.' [LNB]Cole was Liverpool's marquee summersigning, and the bulk of the work in persuading him to swap StamfordBridge for Anfield when his contract expired was done by formermanaging director Christian Purslow. [LNB]Hodgson played his part innegotiations when he took over from Benitez on July 1 but he said: 'Inthat first conversation with Joe and I hope he remembers this Imade it clear I could not offer him a certain position. I made it veryclear that Steven was staying. [LNB]'If it was one spot he wanted, it wasgoing to be very tough. I would be sad to hear him say he could onlyplay in one position. He would be suggesting he can't do what he hasdone so often for England and Chelsea, which is playing in different positions.'[LNB] Mourinho rejects Inter Milan return with Benitez on brink of the bootBoxing Day boost for Liverpool as Gerrard prepares for his comebackHodgson set to lose out as Liverpool target Rami heads for ValenciaLIVERPOOL FC
