Liverpool v Middlesbrough Venue: Anfield Kick-off: 8.0pm: Rafael Benitez has confirmed publicly for the first time he has turned down a massive offer to manage Real Madrid. And sources close to the Liverpool boss insist the Spanish giants wanted Benitez before they turned their attention to Jose Mourinho.
As the Anfield chief prepared his side for tonight's home game with Middlesbrough, it has become clear he rejected a huge offer from Madrid which could have virtually doubled his Anfield contract.
It is intriguing that the Benitez camp are happy to let it be known who was top of Madrid's wish list the week before their Champions League semi-final first leg against Mourinho's Chelsea.
Madrid-born Benitez and chief executive Rick Parry have made no secret of the fact the Anfield boss rejected an approach from Real last summer.
Now it has been confirmed that the club Benitez played for, coached the youngsters of and was assistant manager at, came back with another deal in the last few weeks.
Benitez has previously been reluctant to be too specific about what has been going on behind the scenes. But he has now said: "I said no to Real when they offered me more money than I get here, even though there maybe were greater expectations.
"Madrid may be my town, but I am happy here and pleased with everything. We want to stay because of the new ideas and the new owners are very exciting.
"It is so positive for the future. And I could not ignore the noise and support I received from the supporters last week against Eindhoven, it was tremendous and moving. I repeat, I am very happy here. It was not a difficult decision. I have an objective here, I explained that when I spoke to the new owners and they told me they would be supportive.
"It is clear that Madrid was an opportunity but I said 'no' - because I have a lot of confidence in the future here and I believe we can win more trophies and there are a lot of positive things in the future. My family are happy, I am happy and we feel the future of the club will be brilliant.This is a project, it is my club, my team, my players and the fans are always behind us. I am really happy here for all these things together."
Craig Bellamy is still not ready to figure in Liverpool's squad following the knee injury he sustained against PSV Eindhoven a week ago, and he will miss out on tonight's game.
That leaves the Welsh striker with only Saturday's home game with Wigan to prove his fitness ahead of the Champions League semi-final first leg against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Rafael Benitez otherwise has a full squad to chose from, apart from injured trio Luis Garcia, Harry Kewell and Fabio Aurelio.
