Rafa - Contract not an issue

Rafa Benitez insists Liverpool's UEFA Champions League tie against Real Madrid will have no bearing on his contract situation. The Liverpool boss has yet to agree an extension to his Anfield contract, which expires at the end of next season.Reports have suggested that Real, where Benitez played and served time on the coaching staff, want to appoint the Spaniard in the summer.Knocking Real out of the Champions League would further enhance Benitez's reputation as his Liverpool future remains uncertain.However, the former Valencia coach has played down any impact the outcome of the last-16 tie will have on his contract negotiations with Liverpool.Important game"I don't think this game is important for my contract," said Benitez ahead of Wednesday's first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu."It is an important game for us as a club, that's it."You know the situation and we have to wait. We have a lot of important games coming up."You have to judge a manager on his career, not one or two games. That is my idea."If you have to decide on a manager on the basis of one or two games that is not the best decision."

Source: SKY_Sports