Liverpool FC managing director Christian Purslow backs Rafa Benitez

http://www.football.co.uk/liverpool/liverpool_fc_managing_director_christian_purslow_backs_rafa_benitez_rss248290.shtml

Liverpool FC managing director Christian Purslow backs Rafa Benitez

LIVERPOOL managing director Christian Purslow insists Rafa Benitez's job is safe even if the Reds do not win the Premier League this season.

He also says Anfield stars Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are not for sale at any price.
Purslow launched his support of Benitez even before the Reds' 2-0 home victory over Manchester United yesterday.
He said: 'The most important aspect of the football club I was involved in in my first week in the job was securing Rafa for another five years. You only have to look at the Premiership era and our two major competitors in the last 10 to 12 years to see the benefits of longevity.

'Liverpool Football Club is on a long-term journey and that journey is to be the most successful club, firstly in our country and secondly in the world and you don't do that by worrying about short-term results. You do that by having long-term plans centring on the people and the strategy. Rafa Benitez is absolutely central to that plan.
'The core of the team which won 86 points last season remains intact with some excellent additions so I have every reason to believe we can perform at that level this season over the season.'
To the direct question of whether he would guarantee Benitez's position was safe even if the club did not win the league he said: 'Yes I would.'

Purslow, who was speaking on BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme, also insisted Spanish striker Torres had no clauses in his contract which allowed him to leave Anfield if they did not qualify for the Champions League.
He said: 'Fernando signed an extension to his contract this summer. He has a five-year contract. He is a crucial leader in our team. He loves Liverpool Football Club. He has been fantastic around the place. Fernando Torres and Liverpool Football Club go together and I believe they will go together for the length of his career.'

He seems to say the right things, I still don't trust him though.

He is a Private Equity man. He must have an "Exit Strategy", but did not mention it. Rafa must be his "chess piece" to his "exit strategy".