Rafa vows to keep duo

Benayoun and Kuyt set to stay at Anfield

Last updated: 7th August 2008

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Benayoun: Going nowhere

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Rafa Benitez has insisted that Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt will not be leaving Liverpool this summer.

Serie A giants Roma have confirmed their interest in Israeli midfielder Benayoun, who struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in his first season at Anfield.

Benayoun announced earlier this week that he was planning to stay with the Reds and Benitez has now made it clear that he will be going nowhere.

Benitez has also dismissed suggestions that Kuyt could be set to exit the club before the close of the transfer window.

Kuyt may find it harder to hold down a place following the arrival of Robbie Keane, and he has been linked with a possible £16.5million move to German club Hamburg.

It has been suggested that Benitez would let both Kuyt and Benayoun go to finance a deal for Gareth Barry.

But Benitez stressed: "Neither of them will be leaving.

"It is true that Roma are interested in Yossi. I have talked to him and told him I want to keep him. He is a player with quality and has shown that during pre-season.

"I have no more news about Yossi - he will be staying with us.

"I also talked with Dirk Kuyt this morning. I am really pleased with him and he will be staying with us."