Last updated: 24th June 2008
Benitez: Rubbished reports
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has described reports he has demanded a £50million transfer kitty as 'total rubbish'.
Reports on Tuesday suggested Benitez was demanding a £50million war chest to enable him to sign David Villa, David Silva, Gareth Barry and Daniel Alves.
Benitez has brushed off the speculation, outlining the fact that Sevilla star Alves has already agreed a deal to join Barcelona to prove the reports have no substance.
"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 (chief executive) Rick Parry, who is in regular contact with the Americans, and there are no problems.
"The reports are just unbelievable."

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Wigan |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Arsenal |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Birmingham |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Wolverhampton vs West Ham |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Birmingham vs Portsmouth |
| 19:45 | Burnley vs Man Utd |
| 19:45 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Tottenham |
| 19:45 | Sunderland vs Chelsea |
| 19:45 | Wigan vs Wolverhampton |
| Wednesday 19th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Liverpool vs Stoke |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Portsmouth |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Everton |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Blackburn 0 - 0 West Brom | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Man City 1 - 0 Bolton | |
| Sunderland 2 - 3 Chelsea | |
| Fulham 0 - 2 Everton | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 Stoke | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Wigan 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Liverpool 3 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Monday 18th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 3 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Sunday 17th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| West Brom 0 - 2 Liverpool | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 1 Fulham | |
| Bolton 1 - 1 Hull | |
| Stoke 2 - 0 Wigan | |
| Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Tottenham 2 - 1 Man City | |
| Everton 3 - 1 West Ham | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Arsenal | |
Skysports.com takes a look at striker Michael Owen's career to date following his Man United switch.
Skysports.com assesses Michael Owen's possible free transfer to Manchester United.
Cristiano Ronaldo says that if Real were willing to pay £80million for his signature then it is a 'fair' price.
Wolves have made their sixth signing of the summer after bringing in Marseille defender Ronald Zubar.
Michael Owen has declared his ambition to break back into the England squad following his move to Manchester United.
Real Madrid-bound striker Karim Benzema has revealed he turned down the chance to join Manchester United.
Felipe Melo's agent has stressed that the midfielder has not opened talks with another club.
Comments (3)
Chris Turner (Liverpool fan) says...
I've supported liverpool for as long as i can remember and as a fan i can see that rafa has proven to be a great manager. i just hope that the problems that we had last year behind the scene's are ironed out and that pre season we preform well and hit the ground running i believe in the players we have and that benitez can get the team going all the way this season. come on you reds we're all behind ya chris
Posted 06:20 25th June 2008
Nathan Lacey (Liverpool fan) says...
I wish these rumours were correct, i think with threse four we might actually challenge for the prem, and even more so if it meant we didnt sign downing, milner and bent or any other poor english players doing ok at mediocre teams.
Posted 22:35 24th June 2008
Mike Cleary (Liverpool fan) says...
Rafa may sign a striker to play alongside torres its unfair having to rely on him and steven gerrard every game. every year liverpool say were going to challenge and every year its the same story were not even close at christmas its time to make a name for ourselves again.
Posted 20:51 24th June 2008