Liverpool hold “constructive meeting” with Benitez

Liverpool claim boss Rafael Benitez’s crunch talks with chairman Martin Broughton and managing director Christian Purslow over the futute of the club were “constructive”.

Benitez this week met with the Reds’ hierarchy to find out how much money he would be given to spend in the transfer market during the close-season, as well as discussing his own future.

The Spaniard has been linked with a move to Italian side Juventus, while he is also aware new owners could be on the way to Anfield as Broughton has been appointed to find a new buyer to replace American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

A Liverpool spokesman said: “We are pleased that the first of what is intended to be a series of meetings took place today between the chairman, managing director and the manager. The meeting was constructive.

“The chairman shared his views about plans for the future of the club. There was an exchange of views on issues of concern to both the board and the manager which were either addressed or to be picked up in forthcoming meetings.”