Benitez will not leave for Juventus, claims agent

The agent of Rafa Benitez insists the Spanish coach is staying at Liverpool. Benitez has been strongly linked with a move to Italy as a possible candidate to replace Ciro Ferrara at Juventus.

Both men have been under immense pressure following their teams' poor form this season, but Benitez's agent has dismissed reports linking the Spaniard with the Turin giants.

"I have had no contact with Juventus or with any other Italian club regarding an interest on Rafa Benitez," agent Manuel Garcia Quilon said. "There have been rumours linking Rafa to Juve just as there have been reports linking [Guus] Hiddink to Juventus. But they are all media speculation and there is no truth in it. Rafa has a four-year contract with Liverpool.

"He feels he has the strength to continue with the team and he is fully focused on guiding Liverpool up the standings."

Liverpool and Juventus have both been knocked out of the Champions League while they lie sixth in their respective domestic competitions. Liverpool have the consolation of being in the Europa League.

The Reds were 13 points behind league leaders Manchester United in the Premier League before last night's match at Wolverhampton Wanderers

Last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Roma, which marked Juve's fifth loss in six Serie A games, left them 16 points adrift of leaders Internazionale.