by Ciggy » Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:26 am
18 January 2007
EXCLUSIVE: RAFA ANGER AT 'LUCASH'
By David Maddock & John Cross
LIVERPOOL boss Rafa Benitez blasted Lucas Neill after he turned down Champions League football at Anfield to double his money at relegation-haunted West Ham.
The Blackburn defender headed for a medical in London after Alan Curbishley offered him a £60,000- a-week deal. Benitez was stunned by the decision after Liverpool offered £25,000 a week, although the deal would have been reviewed once he was established.
Neill indicated he was keen on a "dream" switch to Liverpool, and insisted then that he would ignore overtures from the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle.
Benitez, who will now approach Valencia to take Roberto Ayala on loan, said: "If he thinks about the move too long, then maybe that tells us that he is not the sort of player we want."
However, Neill, 28, could be left high and dry by his decision. Blackburn had agreed to swap Neill with Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock. With Liverpool almost certain to withdraw their offer of Warnock, it leaves Neill sweating on his future.
There is no-one anywhere in the world at any stage who is any bigger or any better than this football club.
Kenny Dalglish 1/2/2011
REST IN PEACE PHIL, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.