Benitez: Madrid won't sign Gerrard in January - Post

Liverpool Daily Post, 14 Sept 2004
Benitez: Madrid won't sign Gerrard in January
By Andy Hunter, Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ insists he has been assured Real Madrid will not try to sign
Steven Gerrard in January after inevitable speculation over the Liverpool
skipper's future flared up again.

Reports on Sunday claimed Madrid president Florentino Perez would make a
£22million move for Gerrard (pictured) in the transfer window after
stating: "He is the type of player who would suit the famous shirt of Real
Madrid."

But Benitez revealed he spoke to contacts at Madrid and his star midfielder
when the story first surfaced two weeks ago - and was assured it was false.

"I read about Real Madrid and Steven but I am sure it is not true," said
the Liverpool manager. "I have spoken to the player and to people in Madrid
and they told me it was not true. Maybe someone just needed some news!

"We will have plenty of time to enjoy Steven Gerrard at Liverpool. I hope
he will be here with us for years."

Liverpool's Champions League ambitions, meanwhile, have been improved by
the news Monaco will be without star striker Javier Saviola in tomorrow's
Group A opener at Anfield.

Saviola, who scored for Monaco in Saturday's 3-1 win over Strasbourg, will
miss the game through suspension after being sent off playing for Barcelona
in Europe last season.

Benitez admits Monaco will present a much different test to his new regime
than West Brom did on Saturday, although Didier Deschamps's side have lost
half the players who reached last season's final.

Fernando Morientes and Dado Prso have gone to Real Madrid and Rangers
respectively, while Ludovic Giuly (Barcelona), Hugo Ibarra (Porto), Tony
Sylva (Lille), Edouard Cisse and Jerome Rothen (both Paris St Germain) have
also departed.

Benitez said: "This is another examination of me and how the players are
reacting to the new life here. Playing Monaco will be a test for us, but I
am looking for my team to show strength - mentally and physically. I am
still building."

Monaco are currently fifth in the French League and Benitez added:
"Obviously I know them and we have followed their progress. They have
extremely good players and are well organised."