Benitez poised to pledge future to Reds

Rafael Benitez had a smile on his face after his side’s convincing 5-1 victory over Fulham at Anfield – and who could blame him.

The Liverpool manager would not confirm reports that he was about to sign a one-year extension to his contract, but it is clear that the Spanish boss will soon be committed to Anfield until 2010.

That should end the speculation about his future and the team will be feeling better after dragging themselves out of a bad run that had seen them dumped out of the Champions League and beaten at Arsenal in a week.

Goals from Robbie Fowler – his first since returning to the club – Fernando Morientes, Peter Crouch and Stephen Warnock, as well as a Michael Brown own goal, earned the Reds three points.

The result moves Liverpool closer to second-placed Manchester United and, more pointedly, firmly entrenches them in the Barclays Premiership’s top four.

All Benitez would say about speculation about a new contract was: “We are talking about the future, I have three years left on my contract here so there is no hurry, I have not signed anything.”

But there is clearly now no doubt that Benitez will make a further commitment to Anfield, with Real Madrid – who have been linked with him – about to name a new coach “in the next two or three weeks”, according to new president Fernando Martin.

That will obviously now not be Benitez. The Spanish coach added: “My relationship with the fans is excellent, as is my relationship with the board.

“We are happy, I am happy and there is not a problem at all with our relationships. But the only thing I have been signing tonight has been autographs.”

Benitez was delighted with the fact that Fowler, Crouch and Morientes had all got on the scoresheet after a collective goal drought, and that Djibril Cisse had helped create the last two goals.

Benitez said: “They were all waiting to score and it was important for their confidence that they did.

“Everybody will want to talk about Robbie’s first goal since he returned here, but I was equally pleased with the goals from the other strikers too.”

Sadly for Fulham boss Chris Coleman, things were not as rosy – particularly with a home game with Chelsea next – as they fight against relegation.

But the Welshman was far happier on this visit to Merseyside than Saturday, when he was furious after a shocking performance in the 3-1 defeat at Everton.

Coleman, whose side pulled the scores back to 1-1 through Collins John, said: “It looked as if we had been battered after those last few minutes, but I cannot criticise the players after that.

“I was not happy with the way we played at Everton on Saturday and told them that. But we played some very good stuff in this one.

“It is never easy when you come to Anfield. We have been smashed by Arsenal, beaten at Everton, but did not think we deserved to lose by five after the way we played.”