Benitez Confirmed Aurelio Will Leave

Benitez has confirmed that Fabio Aurelio will leave the club this summer. The left back joined Liverpool on free transfer in 2006. Now Fabio linked with a free transfer move again to Olympiakos. "Fabio's contract is nearly finished and he is going to leave us," Benitez told reporters on Tuesday.

"We had been trying to work something out with regards an extension but it was a pity that we couldn't. He has given us absolutely fantastic service. "Fabio is a top professional, a great player and a really good lad. I mean every single word I say about him. "It has been a pleasure having him here and we really will miss him."

"The one problem we had with Fabio was that he suffered too many injuries and it was such a pity because he has great quality," Benitez added. "When he was in the team, we were always able to play the ball out from the back and keep it because he uses possession so well. "With Fabio being out so much, it meant that we had to use Emiliano Insua more than we would have liked and that was not easy for him. "You can say things about players. But with Fabio, you are talking about an amazing person who gave 100 per cent all the time. We wish him all the best."  

(posted by Roku)

Rafa Needs 5 New Players

Rafael Benítez admitted Liverpool's late exit from the Europa League was symptomatic of their dispiriting season and that the club requires major rebuilding this summer to restore its position among the Premier League elite.

Liverpool's hopes of salvaging the campaign with a first trophy in four years were shattered by the former Manchester United striker, Diego Forlán, who scored a critical away goal for Atlético Madrid in extra-time after Alberto Aquilani then Yossi Benayoun also in extra-time had placed Benítez's team on the brink of an all-English final against Fulham. It was the first time Liverpool had failed to overturn a one-goal deficit in a European semi-final at Anfield.