Rafa reveals frustration at contract talks delay

RAFAEL BENITEZ expressed his disappointment with the slow progress in his new contract negotiations on the day when he launched a fierce attack on Alex Ferguson.

The Liverpool boss opened talks with owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett back in November and spoke of his desire for a quick conclusion. But although he has been out of action for a few weeks after two kidney stone operations, which have clearly delayed talks, the Anfield boss has made it clear he is not happy with the situation.

Benitez said: “My agent has not yet received any documents, and he is a little disappointed. But okay, we will see what happens. But I do not want to say too much at the moment.”

His words will do little to placate what is always a delicate situation between the manager and the American owners, with his contract running out in less than 18 months’ time.

Benitez, who also dismissed talk he had been trying to bring Portsmouth’s England defender Glen Johnson to the club, also claimed it would “be very difficult” to offer Jermaine Pennant a new contract. Pennant is out of contract in the summer and has had a string of offers.

Meanwhile his compatriot Jose Reina believes the Premier League leaders have yet to reach their peak as they prepare to face Stoke’s long-throw menace.

Arsenal, Aston Villa and Spurs have already succumbed to that threat in the Potteries, but Reina believes the current league leaders have the belief to maintain their grip on top spot.

The Spaniard said: “This team has character and a belief in what we can achieve. But although we have been playing okay so far, we can get better.”

Liverpool have gone 11 games unbeaten in all competitions and have not lost in the league since their solitary defeat of the season so far, nine games ago at Spurs.

He added: “Our ambition this season is to challenge for every single competition that we enter. At Liverpool this is the only way. We have got ourselves into a good position, but there is still a lot of football to play.

“We will always score goals with Keane, Torres, Kuyt, Gerrard and the rest of the lads. We are still looking for the perfect blend, and if we do that we will be able to compete in everything until the end of the season.”

Stoke manager Tony Pulis is determined to keep smiling, even though his side have tumbled down the table after taking three points from a possible 18. “You have learn how to lose without getting too down and too despondent. You have to box that up, put it to one side and make sure everyone who counts stays positive. It is difficult, however, especially when you have got used to winning in the Championship.”

Pulis is expected to hand Matthew Etherington his debut this evening at the Brittania Stadium following the midfielder’s arrival from West Ham, for a fee believed to be £3m (€3.3m).

“Liverpool are playing with loads of confidence, so it is going to be a tough call for us,” Pulis said.

“Rafael Benitez is very organised and very meticulous in what he does. He works very hard on the shape of the team and the system.

“But every game we play at the Britannia is a special game and a special occasion.”