Lots of news reports coming in this morning that Rafa Benitez is being offered a serverence deal in order to leave Liverpool FC by the weekend.

BBC sports news correspondent Dan Roan said:
“Members of Liverpool’s board were locked in meetings as late as 2330 BST on Wednesday. Board members were again meeting on Thursday and Benitez looks certain to leave. The club are concerned that details being leaked out could undermine the severance deal, but no replacement for Benitez has so far been approached. Benitez is currently on holiday but if he decides to accept their offer he could be out by the weekend.”

Rafa’s agent has declined to comment on the story so far. It is reported that Liverpool are offering Benitez £3 million to leave his position as manager of the club.

Round up of some of the main news stories reporting on Benitez’s alleged exit at Liverpool:

• BBC
• Sky Sports
• Guardian
  

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has gone on the record to dispel rumours that both he and Yossi Benayoun are leaving Anfield. Rafa was adament that they were both staying.

Interview with Rafa Benitez following Liverpool’s FA Cup exit to Reading. Unsurprisingly Rafa was reluctant to discuss the current problems with Liverpool’s recent performance head-on, and tries to obliquely talk around the questions. A future in politics beckons.

The first leg is at Anfield on April 8, and then Liverpool go to Stamford Bridge on April 14.

Benitez said:
“Hopefully it won’t make a difference to us that the second leg is away. We have to think about the first game at Anfield with our fans behind us and look to get a positive result to take to Stamford Bridge. We need to make sure we don’t make a mistake in the first leg like we did in last year’s semi-final. They will be two tough games but we are playing well and clearly we are confident we can win.”

“At this stage of the competition, you know you’ll play against a good team. Chelsea are a very good team. We know each other very well and this is an exciting draw. We knew it would be difficult to avoid an English team but we need to approach the two games with confidence. We’ve done the double over them this season in the league but clearly these two games in the quarter-finals will be different.”

If Liverpool beat Chelsea they will face either Barcelona or Bayern Munich in the semi finals.

Rafa Benitez on Champions League draw

Keane’s 6 month spell at Liverpool FC came to an end as he was sold back to Spurs for a starting fee of £12 million (which is due to rise if add-ons are activated).

Benitez told the Liverpool website: “Sometimes good players cannot settle in the team. You have to react quickly.

“It is a risk but the situation was not good and we needed to do something.”

Keane, 28, managed five goals in 19 appearances.

Video Interview of Rafa Benetiz on Robbie Keane’s move to Spurs:

Rafa and Arbeloa discuss the lost opportunity at last week’s Wigan game, and look ahead to the critical Chelsea game.

Rafa’s prematch press conference:

He also gives his views on the Robbie Keane debate and the alleged bid from Tottenham.

Rafa interviewed about the Chelsea game:

Arbeloa interviewed about the Chelsea game: