Rafa could sell star duo

Big-money bids may force Reds to consider position

By Elliot Ball   Last updated: 11th January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rafa could sell star duo

Gerrard and Torres: Reds' prized assets

If you ask any manager in the world they will tell you they want more money and want to spend but at this moment we have to do what's best for the club.

Rafa Benitez
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Rafa Benitez has conceded for the first time Liverpool will consider bids for star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

Since the Reds accepted a £30million bid from Chelsea for skipper Gerrard back in 2005, Benitez has always insisted he would never entertain offers for his prized assets.

Joining Gerrard in that category is goal-machine Torres, who has become one of the top forwards in world football since arriving on Merseyside in 2007.

Manchester City's reported interest in the Spanish international last season was met by a definitive rebuff from Benitez, who has previously claimed he would quit the Reds if the striker was allowed to leave.

Benitez's guarantee of UEFA Champions League football next season is by no means a certainty as Liverpool trail Tottenham, Aston Villa and City this term and the ramifications of missing out on the financial windfall of a top-four finish could be crippling for the Reds.

And Benitez has given the first indication that the five-time European champions would be forced to consider offers due to their lack of funds, although the Spanish tactician does not expect the scenario to materialise.

Conversation

"We would have a conversation and decide what's the best for the club," said Benitez.

"I've said before I want to keep the best players here because that means we can be closer to the top four. They are the most important.

"We gave extensions to players because we want to keep the squad together.

"If you ask any manager in the world they will tell you they want more money and want to spend but at this moment we have to do what's best for the club.

"That means managing the situation for each player and see what happens."

Comments (64)

Umar Sajjad (Liverpool fan) says...

We have in recent years not been able to buy gud strikers with reference to morientes and cisse and now we have a change wit torres no one wud be able to cope with the bpl as fast as him and losin him will mean lack of goal the guy has been injured and still has 12 goals 2 behind leaders playin 5less games..... U know were am i'm goin abut this.... Than to are talisman been hit with injuries it takes time to get back to form but this guy won us the ucl and an fa cup. The cap.... We still need him and if gerrard wudnt be able to help the team than he wud be the first to admit. He luvs lfc and hopefully many yrs in him... So to all who thnk they shud be sold jst thnk wat they've done..

Posted 06:25 13th January 2010

Ian Brown (Liverpool fan) says...

As a life long Liverpool supporter, who would deny Stevie G the chance of a champions medal elsewhere. The lad has given is all for the club along with Cara. There is no doubting Benitez' pedigree, but his tunnel vision with the Champions League is getting more and more pathetic. Any Liverpool fan would go without champions league football for 20 years if it meant Benitez would concentrate on that 'minor trophy', the Premier League. I suppose I was lucky enough to grow up in Liverpool's hey day, but 20 years since their last league success is just not done. Fair enough. Manchester United have had their time, and helped by a near 80,000 capacity stadium, their revunue is far better, as is the Chelsea 'sugar daddy'. 1. Sell Gerrard & Torres & Benitez 2. New 60-80,000 seater stadium (fan base is there) 3. Dalglish/Thompson in as manager/assistant 4. Reinstall Liverpool bootroom 5. Concentrate on the Premier 6. Employ english talent willing to wear their heart on their sleeves The rest will follow.

Posted 02:23 13th January 2010

David Astbury (Liverpool fan) says...

Hold on, lets get this straight. No one man is bigger than liverpool football club. Clubs lose their star players but replacements are brought in, the faces change but the badge remains the same. It would break my heart to see Stevie and Nando go, but players do get replaced. Shankly quit, end of the world? No in came Paisley. Keegan went, end of the world, no King Kenny came in. Souness out McMahon in, Rush out, Fowler in and on it goes. Some nugget there saying if we sell these two players he'll quit supporting liverpool football club screams what is wrong with the modern world of football. Is he for real? I really hope its some 6 year old kid whose got hold of his dads laptop or something and not a grown man talking such rubbish. Rafa has the clubs best interests at heart and he will only sell his two best players if he no other option otherwise. He is at Liverpool for a reason, hes one of the top coaches in europe with la ligas uefa cups fa cups and champions leagues to his name. So in other words hes no divvy, he knows what hes doing. were out of europe, which is a massive blow, and the title is well out the window, but we still have a young team who if we keep the spine of Reina agger carra Gerrard and torres, with Argentinas captain, an italian international and englands right back majking up the numbers, we are very capable of challenging in the future. PS even Bob bloody Paisley finished 5th once!

Posted 18:10 12th January 2010

Conor Liverpool (Liverpool fan) says...

Rafa Benitez has really wrecked Liverpool and is making it worse and worse he should leave now!

Posted 17:22 12th January 2010

Stephen Davis (Liverpool fan) says...

Benitez will be an absolute mug if he sells these two! However, I dont see this happening. Liverpool are in very desperate times at the moment, especially financially, but also the league, selling our top 2 players will be the icing on the cake for Liverpool! I can't see Gerrard going anywhere especially after the chelsea saga and his age and his commitment to Liverpool. Fernando Torres is more likely to go if we start not winning trophies as he still has a long career ahead. He needs to start winning trophies, but his commitment to us seems brilliant. Also, we wouldn't sell Torres to any premier league club as there would be a outcry from all Liverpool fans.Liverpool are a massive club with a big reputation, and it would go severely down if we have to start selling our top players. I don't see this happening though, Benitez's will be sacked and hated for it. He's been a good manager and lead us to champion league and FA cup glory, but in my opinion, his time is up. YNWA

Posted 16:21 12th January 2010

London Red (Liverpool fan) says...

Rafa has lost the plot, if he conteplates selling G&T. Hicks & Gillet need to sell up and go home

Posted 15:52 12th January 2010

Aaron Nicholl (Manchester United fan) says...

Hahahahahaha wot a load of rubbish if liverpool sell torres and gerrard they wont even finish in the top 10. And if they were to sell them they would go abroad

Posted 14:39 12th January 2010

John Thackrah (Arsenal fan) says...

The only people Liverpool should be concentrating on getting rid of is Benitez and the owners. The longer these people stay at Liverpool the worse this story will become. Listen to offers for Gerrard and Torres "HAVE YOU GONE COMPLETELY MAD???" everyone knew the impact Alonso leaving would do and everyone knows the impact Gerrard and Torres would do if they left and of course everyone knows the good about the owners and Benitez leaving. So what do you want Liverpool fans? who's to go??? time to speak up!!!

Posted 11:41 12th January 2010

Nimusiimah Moses (Liverpool fan) says...

Fellow liverpool fans, i think we are headed for trouble. No Gerrard no liverpool. Fine, Gerard is aging whom have we groomed to replace him? The manager has alot to explain. This team needs a leader of gerrards character. where is that player in the team? As for torres , he only needs a strong partener to play with. some players like Ngog, Eliser ,Babel needs 30 40 minutes on the pitch in order to be strong. The club might be poor but there are good players we can get on a loan deal . Look at Pavulchenko. he is agood player. rethink of why we sold Clough. Bellamy can still work for us. please thats not the collect direction for our great club.

Posted 06:49 12th January 2010

Desmond Thien says...

Both the owners and Rafa should get out of Liverpool. They create thus too many problem and talking too much instead of solving all the problem. And now with the outburst of selling both Gerrard and Torres, i think i should rather supporting Newcastle United then to see our be loving club sliding down the table.

Posted 04:08 12th January 2010

Dave Jenkins (Liverpool fan) says...

Considering Liverpools form this season for Benitez to come out and say that means he really has lost grip on his aims. Gerrard and Torres are vital players and get rid of them and itll leave a bigger whole in teh club than the loss of Alonso, which in my view is a main factor in their terrible form this season. Lose Gerrard and Torres, and you lose any chance of succeding in the Premier League, especially as they will just go to teams which pose great competition to Liverpool such as Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, getting rid of our star duo would ruin the club. We need to get some new fresh players in, not lose the main ones. Ridiculous Benitez, ive been giving giving you the benefit of the doubt so far this season, but you lose those players, you lose every single fan behind you.

Posted 01:00 12th January 2010

Anthony Coombs (Liverpool fan) says...

If Rafa sold Torres and Gerrard that would be the end of Liverpool. They are our match winners. Who else can we rely on to win games, Lucas, Mashaerano , Ngog, arellio i dont think so!!! They are the players that need to be sold not Gerrard and Torres. Rafa has been given plenty of money but bought flops, Rafa drove away one of our best players in Alonso so i think its time we drove Rafa away not torres and Gerrard.

Posted 00:42 12th January 2010

Roy Frazer (Liverpool fan) says...

if Gerrard and Torres goes then liverpool will never be the same who have we got that can do the job these two can do benitez needs to get a grip and stop all the rift raff with others managers and let the football do the talking when liverpool play how they can we can beat anybody we have proved that last season

Posted 22:40 11th January 2010

Sean O grady (Liverpool fan) says...

I've been disappointed with Liverpool this season especialy rafa and if he lets my two favourite footballers leave I'm sure just like me alot of liverpool fans would give up and leave

Posted 22:37 11th January 2010

Mark W (Liverpool fan) says...

What a load of tosh from a so called fan: 'If Benitez sells our two stars... ...I will quit supporting Liverpool' - we don't need fans like you for a start. LFC has always and will always be about more than just a few players - even those who have the undoubted star quality of Gerrard and Torres. At the end of the day they are just 2 players who we have been fortunate enough to have play for us for a few years. £100 million for Gerrard and Torres who have been largely absent (or may as well have been) so far this season is good business, and they can be replaced with 3 or 4 other world-class players who could offer the club just as much.

Posted 20:22 11th January 2010

Christopher Cannon (Liverpool fan) says...

I think the thought of even considering selling the most influentual duo is absolutely insane. I would rather look at players that dont really bring any value to LFC. From the likes of Ngog,El Ezar and most Definitely LUCAS. Rafa must also take action with regards to the rumours of the potential signings, Rodrigues would be a top buy.

Posted 20:21 11th January 2010

Kier Egan (Liverpool fan) says...

For every liverpool fan this is just a kick in the teeth at the end of last season there was a real belief for the first time that this season would be our season that we would finally bring the title home after it being away far to long , people keep comparing alonso who has 5 years experinece in the prem to aquilani who has just come back after a year out i personally think he will be a big hit eventually for the fact rafa had to get the replacement of alonso spott on otherwise apart from torres people would doubt his abilty to sign expensive players ( robbie keane ) , all we needed to do in the summer was add wingers every true liver fan knew that but obviously there just isnt the money i am a real die hard fan and when the window shut without out us buyin a winger i did worry but did think that babel mite make the step up he hasnt and dusnt look like ever doin so , if we did sell them we wouild be admiting to having no ambition of winning the title ever again and condemming us to the mid table , one thing people forget is that rafa has had to sign second choice players quiet alot he wanted alves he got pennant , maxi looks like an okay signing but we need to bring in players like mata or arda turan who does look a very good player but obviously is playing in a diffrent standard compared to here , i think every liverpool fan would love to see benitez above anyone else bring the title back to anfield the rest of the world ridiculed him for his attack on fergie but he just endeared himself to us by doin that , the media clearly has it in for benitez i dont thing anyone can argue that ,winning the cl in his first year got hopes up mine included but last year was the first time we have had a team ready to win the title , everyone loves sayin that benitez has spent loads of money and to be fair alot of signings have failed but look at the squad he inherited it would struggle to come top half now , ANYWAY LFC 4 LIFE !!!

Posted 18:42 11th January 2010

Joy Daniel (Liverpool fan) says...

This is nonsense , they should sell rest of the squad instead of Torres and Gerrard who have always been the saviours , if these two are sold Liverpool will be in the championship leave aside champions league.

Posted 17:32 11th January 2010

Thread Onaspool (Liverpool fan) says...

I wouldnt be surprised if the Yanks were trying to get one over on Rafa. They could raise close to 100 Million through the sales of Torres and Gerrard. They then use 15-20 million to get ride of Rafa. Bring in a new manager and hand him 60 million to spend on players. Everyone will blame Rafa for selling our star players and the new manager can start fresh with 60 million to spend.

Posted 16:46 11th January 2010

Astie Bolton (Liverpool fan) says...

What would be the point in selling 2 superb, passionate players and bringing in 2 very good players????

Posted 16:39 11th January 2010

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