Benitez rocked by Ayesteran departure

LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez has been rocked by the imminent departure of his right-hand man Paco Ayesteran from Anfield.

His fellow Spaniard and long-term friend had been Benitez’s number two at Tenerife and Valencia before he followed the Reds chief to Merseyside. It is believed that the players were informed of the news on Thursday after training, and it is not expected that Ayesteran will be alongside Benitez in the dug-out for today’s home game with Derby.

Liverpool would not confirm any further details, although Benitez said: “Paco has told me he wants to leave, apart from that I cannot say any more. We will have to assess the situation.”