Benitez dismisses Juventus talk

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has played down speculation linking him with the vacant managers job at Serie A giants Juventus, saying he is soley focused on progressing with the Reds.

Reports this weekend suggested a deal had been struck between Benitez and the Turin outfit over a contract beginning at the end of this season.

However Benitez, who signed a new 4 year contract at Anfield last March, says there is no truth in the rumours.

“Contrary to reports in the Italian media this weekend, I want to make it absolutely clear I have no agreement with Juventus and have not and will not be meeting Juventus or their representatives or any other club,” said the Liverpool manager.

“I have a long term contract with Liverpool and I’ll repeat what I said on Friday that I am happy here and my only focus is to do my job as well as I can to get the team back into to the top four, beginning with the derby against Everton.”

Liverpool face Merseyside rivals Everton in the 213th Merseyside Derby this Saturday.