[BigHomieStyle]

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has already lined up three new signings for the summer to underline his belief he will remain in charge whoever wins the Anfield power struggle. Benitez believes he is fireproof whoever triumphs in the ownership battle involving Tom Hicks, George Gillett and Dubaibased investment group DIC.

As the manager prepares to take on Everton in what is virtually a Champions League eliminator at Anfield today, Benitez was unusually candid.

He has money available following a refinancing package agreed by Hicks and Gillett in February. Although Gillett reopened the war of words with his co-owner this week, branding their relationship 'unworkable', Benitez seems to think it will have little impact on his job of building a title-winning team.

"We have agreements with two young players and one senior player who will be a starting XI player. That deal is already done," said a bullish Benitez. "We are also making plans for our preseason tour and talking to players here about new contracts."

Benitez has been strongly linked in Germany with Schalke's Brazilian full-back Rafinha, who is known as 'Little Rafa'. The two younger players are believed to be from South America.

Sami Hyypia and young keeper Dave Martin are in talks about new deals as Liverpool try to prove they will not stagnate because of the impasse between the American co-owners.

Significantly, though, striker Peter Crouch will not discuss a five-year deal until the summer while Jon Arne Riise and Harry Kewell have not been offered anything.

Off-the-field, Hicks, who broke off takeover talks with DIC because of what he saw as smear tactics, thinks Gillett's comments are a crude attempt to force a sale to DIC. While currently committed to paying £28 million a year in interest, Champions League football is almost a financial necessity.


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wonder who the hell that could be

[liverpool92]

Well we obviously won't find out until the Summer as the end of the season would be ruined for that player if tehir fans found out!

Ooo South Americans...Nice

[Hughesy]

how credible is that source though?

think it could be Rafinha for the main player but your guess would b as good as mine about the 2 youngsters

[Cosmo]

Is that 'quote' from Rafa anywhere else?

If so then its very very interesting. I'd of had no doubt he was looking at other players, but ACTUAL agreements with 2 youngsters and one senior player is very impressive and a well kept secret.

[Half Man Half Biscan]

If it was a huge player do you think the press would of got hold of it by now.

[liverpool92]

Cosmo, on Mar 30 2008, 12:00 AM, said:

Is that 'quote' from Rafa anywhere else?

If so then its very very interesting. I'd of had no doubt he was looking at other players, but ACTUAL agreements with 2 youngsters and one senior player is very impressive and a well kept secret.

Not so well kept anymore it seems.

And maybe we will start hearing players names being thrown around until now and summer.

Something to chat about I guess

[thefunkasaurus]

BigHomieStyle, on Mar 29 2008, 11:44 PM, said:

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has already lined up three new signings for the summer to underline his belief he will remain in charge whoever wins the Anfield power struggle. Benitez believes he is fireproof whoever triumphs in the ownership battle involving Tom Hicks, George Gillett and Dubaibased investment group DIC.

As the manager prepares to take on Everton in what is virtually a Champions League eliminator at Anfield today, Benitez was unusually candid.

He has money available following a refinancing package agreed by Hicks and Gillett in February. Although Gillett reopened the war of words with his co-owner this week, branding their relationship 'unworkable', Benitez seems to think it will have little impact on his job of building a title-winning team.

"We have agreements with two young players and one senior player who will be a starting XI player. That deal is already done," said a bullish Benitez. "We are also making plans for our preseason tour and talking to players here about new contracts."

Benitez has been strongly linked in Germany with Schalke's Brazilian full-back Rafinha, who is known as 'Little Rafa'. The two younger players are believed to be from South America. Which means more free loading immigrants.

Sami Hyypia and young keeper Dave Martin are in talks about new deals as Liverpool try to prove they will not stagnate because of the impasse between the American co-owners.

Significantly, though, striker Peter Crouch will not discuss a five-year deal until the summer while Jon Arne Riise and Harry Kewell have not been offered anything.

Off-the-field, Hicks, who broke off takeover talks with DIC because of what he saw as smear tactics, thinks Gillett's comments are a crude attempt to force a sale to DIC. While currently committed to paying £28 million a year in interest, Champions League football is almost a financial necessity.


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wonder who the hell that could be

Bloody Daily Mail. Spreading its rubbish.

[scott is cool again]

Half Man Half Biscan, on Mar 30 2008, 12:05 AM, said:

If it was a huge player do you think the press would of got hold of it by now.

I doubt that it is a huge player, probably not a well known player, and not for a lot of money, but a player Rafa hopes will prove his worth. Maybe Rafinha...

[Kenny Forever]

scott is cool again, on Mar 30 2008, 12:31 AM, said:

Half Man Half Biscan, on Mar 30 2008, 12:05 AM, said:

If it was a huge player do you think the press would of got hold of it by now.

I doubt that it is a huge player, probably not a well known player, and not for a lot of money, but a player Rafa hopes will prove his worth. Maybe Rafinha...

what if it they meant a "huge player" as in Jan Koller huge?

[scott is cool again]

Kenny Forever, on Mar 30 2008, 12:57 AM, said:

scott is cool again, on Mar 30 2008, 12:31 AM, said:

Half Man Half Biscan, on Mar 30 2008, 12:05 AM, said:

If it was a huge player do you think the press would of got hold of it by now.

I doubt that it is a huge player, probably not a well known player, and not for a lot of money, but a player Rafa hopes will prove his worth. Maybe Rafinha...

what if it they meant a "huge player" as in Jan Koller huge?

Interesting theory.

[Jas B]

Kenny Forever, on Mar 30 2008, 06:27 AM, said:

scott is cool again, on Mar 30 2008, 12:31 AM, said:

Half Man Half Biscan, on Mar 30 2008, 12:05 AM, said:

If it was a huge player do you think the press would of got hold of it by now.

I doubt that it is a huge player, probably not a well known player, and not for a lot of money, but a player Rafa hopes will prove his worth. Maybe Rafinha...

what if it they meant a "huge player" as in Jan Koller huge?

He ain't 'that' huge to satisfy Rafa's needs.

[Tom B]

Rafinha,Renato,Palacio,Saviola,Heinze-Possibilities.

[Babel]

Doubt it's a big signing. Probably just Bentley.

[lfc_bhoy]

I actually think this is a brilliant move by Rafa. Keep the media talking about three mystery players and have them leave us alone.

[1979]

Yes we finally signed Luis Figo!