Benitez plays down Joaquin link

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has distanced himself from reports in Spain linking him with a move for Real Betis winger Joaquin.

A Spanish newspaper claimed the player’s agent attended last weekend’s game against Chelsea as a guest of Liverpool chief scout Paco Herrera.

But Benitez said: “These stories are false. I keep reading in the Spanish press that we are trying to take Joaquin to England.

“The agent did not come to the Chelsea game and we have never made any offer or suggested other players as part of a transfer deal.

“Our position is clear. We are not interested in bringing the player to Anfield and I can only assume that people in Spain are trying to move the player out of Betis.”