Liverpool boss not bothered by newspaper reports

Benitez said: “I have too much respect for the club and for the board to talk about this. I prefer to speak about it in private.

“I learnt a good phrase off John Toshack when he was in Spain – ‘no comment’.

“This story hasn’t affected preparations for the game this weekend though. We have been working on the match for two or three days and we will continue to do so.”