Benitez refuses to dismiss Figo speculation
Rafael Benitez has declined the opportunity to deny he is interested in Real Madrid star Luis Figo.
The Liverpool boss also admits he is delighted Chelsea seem to be exploring other possible signings ahead of his captain Steven Gerrard.
Figo has been strongly linked with Liverpool in the Spanish media, while Benitez has been fighting a rearguard action to keep Gerrard at Anfield all season.
On Figo, Benitez said: “You can talk about many names, I prefer not to do that. But in Spain at the moment all the agents are trying to increase the value of their players by saying that Liverpool are interested in them.
“Always we want good players, but for now we are looking at the games for the present rather than players for the future.”
There has also been speculation that Chelsea have turned their attention from England midfielder to other targets, including Argentina international Javier Mascherano of River Plate.
Benitez said: “We want our strongest team for the future, hearing that Chelsea have other targets is good news. “We know that Steven wants to win with us and he will have the opportunity on Tuesday to do something special against them”.
