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Benitez wants Reds to 'focus on football' despite unrest

14/04/2008

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has called for his team to focus on their football despite the latest reports of unrest in the boardroom.

Last week media sources across the country suggested long-serving chief executive Rick Parry had been asked to step down by unsettled co-owner Tom Hicks.

However, Parry reportedly rejected Hicks' call and was backed up by the American's estranged business partner George Gillett, who is a known close friend of Parry's.

And Benitez, speaking after his side's 3-1 home victory over Blackburn Rovers which kept them in pole position for the fourth Champions League spot, admitted he had been "surprised with some of the things that I have read".

"It is important for me to talk with the board and try and understand the situation, but we need to think about football," the Spaniard explained.

"I will be talking with the board as soon as possible. I am surprised by what has happened the last few days."

In yesterday's match, Fernando Torres scored his 30th goal of the season in what has been a superb debut campaign in England for the Spanish international.

And Benitez, who spent a record £26 million to bring the player from Atletico Madrid, said he is "really pleased" with the 24-year-old's contribution this year and suggested he could continue improving.