Valencia to sue Benitez for exit to Anfield

VALENCIA have confirmed they are to sue former boss Rafael Benitez after he walked out on the Spanish champions for Liverpool.

Benitez still had a year remaining on his contract when he opted to join the Merseysiders and Valencia, who appointed Claudio Ranieri as his successor, are now seeking compensation.

Manuel Llorente, the club's general director, said: "Valencia's administration council have agreed to issue a lawsuit against Rafael Benitez for damages after he failed to honour the one year he had left on his contract.

"Valencia want to defend the rights of the club and this is why this decision has been taken."

Benitez is thought to be surprised by Valencia's actions, believing his achievements at the Mestalla he also led the club to the UEFA Cup last season and the Primera Liga title in 2002 would grant him an unrestricted exit.

However, he did have a distinctly uneasy relationship with the Valencia directors and this latest move is reported to have triggered Benitez into issuing a counter claim for unpaid bonuses and salary with the Spanish soccer federation's legal committee.

However, Benitez's agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon, admitted his client is still hoping the matter can be resolved outside of court, saying, "he is very calm about it. He's hoping this matter will be resolved in an amicable way."

Steven Gerrard deserves to be classed as one of the great Liverpool midfielders of all-time.

That is the verdict of Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish, who is thrilled the club captain is staying close to his roots.

Gerrard has decided to remain with the Champions League contenders when it was widely expected he would move to Chelsea.

Dalglish said: "Steven Gerrard is as good a midfield player as Liverpool have had throughout their history.

"He can be mentioned with Graeme Souness, Terry McDermott, Ray Kennedy and Ian Callaghan. He is right up there with the best of them.

"The fact he is staying is a massive boost for the fans. The bottom line is that it would have been very, very serious for Liverpool if Steven Gerrard had gone."

Dalglish believes Liverpool would have struggled to claim fourth place had it not been for Gerrard's contribution.

"But for him last season it would have been a lot worse than it was.

"On many occasions he carried the team forward on his own. In a footballing sense his departure would have been a massive blow.

"Also, the club is trying to bring in new investment and it would not have been a good sign."

Dalglish added: "No one came out and publicly stated anything about an offer for him but obviously there was innuendo and rumour.

"But I don't think there is any doubt as to just how much Steven Gerrard loves Liverpool Football Club.

"Even allowing for some truth in the speculation I don't think that undermines his feelings for Liverpool in any way."