• Benítez cagey on his future following dour draw with Wolves
• Juventus ready to present him with manager's contract
Rafael Benítez last night declined the chance to commit his future to Liverpool after it emerged Juventus are drawing up an official contract document for the Spaniard in an attempt to demonstrate the seriousness of their interest.
Benítez had the opportunity to reaffirm his allegiance to Anfield when asked about Juventus's pursuit of him following a dour goalless draw at Molineux that did nothing to enhance Liverpool's hopes of salvaging a top-four finish. But he refused to address the subject, adding to the uncertainty over his position at Anfield.
"I prefer to talk about the game," said the manager, who insisted reports about his future before last night's match had not been a distraction. "I was really focused today trying to do the right thing to try to win the game."
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Guus Hiddink is also on Juventus's radar. The Dutchman's wage demands, and the likelihood of Benítez remaining in situ until the end of this season, present the Italians with the problem of having to appoint an interim manager should Ciro Ferrara pay the price for falling 16 points adrift of Internazionale in Serie A. But they hope confirmation of the terms on offer at Stadio delle Alpi will convince Benítez, who signed a five-year contract at Liverpool in March last year, to leave behind the internal problems at Anfield.
The Liverpool manager's agent, Manuel García Quilón, denied that he had received an approach from Juventus. "I have had no contact with Juventus or with any other Italian club regarding an interest on Rafa Benítez," he said. Juventus, however, registered their interest directly with Benítez, and did not go through Quilón, when deciding the Spaniard met their criteria for a new manager several days ago.