£50m demand rubbished

Last updated : 25 June 2008 By Al Campbell
Yesterday's Daily Mirror claimed Benitez has demanded £50m off Liverpool's co-chairmen to buy David Villa, David Silva, Gareth Barry and Daniel Alves. However, the story was fiction.

"The stories are ridiculous. Total rubbish," the Reds boss told the Liverpool Echo yesterday.

"They have me trying to sign Daniel Alves, who already has an agreement with Barcelona, so how could I be trying to sign him?

"I am working hard with Rick Parry, who is in regular contact with the Americans, and there are no problems.

"The reports are just unbelievable."