Pool take the Raf with the smooth

THE future of Rafa Benitez still dominates life at Anfield, as it has so often over the past half-decade, making the rare appearance of co-owner Tom Hicks at the game on Saturday all the more intriguing.

Was this in response to Benitez talking openly this week of supposed interest from Juventus in his services? Was the unpopular Texan at the game in order to meet his manager and discuss potential transfer targets ahead of the closing of the window today?

It is hard to gauge the answer to such questions, given the lack of forthright – or, in the case of Hicks, any – answers from both parties. It also proved a useless line of post-match inquiry with Benitez, who claimed he had not spoken to Hicks before the game but was not necessarily averse to the idea post-match.