Reina urges Gerrard: dont follow Rafa
Steven Gerrard must stay even if Rafael Benitez stays
Rafa Benitez is expected to leave Liverpool in the next 48 hours once his severance pay has been agreed.
Thats the word on Merseyside where Rafas reign will come to an end, with Roy Hodgson emerging as an early favourite to replace him.
With all the ongoing issues regarding ownership and possible sale of the club,
Liverpool are in turmoil after their worst season for years.
News broke of Benitez's likely departure last night, with the Spaniard believed to be on the brink of leaving Anfield.
Sources have suggested that Benitez has lost the support of senior figures within the dressing room, with key duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard linked with summer departures if the manager stayed.
Whether Benitez stays or goes, keeper Pepe Reina hopes Gerrard and Torres commit their futures to Liverpool, as he did by signing a lengthy new deal before the end of the season.
"I hope Gerrard doesn't bring anything to Real Madrid and that he stays a long time at Liverpool, that he is with us for the rest of his career." said the Spain goalkeeper.
"I understand that something will happen, that Real Madrid's interest in Gerrard will become manifest because Mourinho knows him very well and he is a footballer who can play in any team in the world.
"He is part of the elite, among the ten best in the world because he is a very complete footballer. Let's hope they don't take him away."
Of the possibility of Benitez leaving, his agent was non-committal and Manuel Garcia Quilon said: "We don't know anything more than what's being said. We're not saying anything."
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Arsenal secure Argentine starlet
Arsenal - Emilio Damián Martinez granted work permit for move
Arsenal have secured the availability of young keeper Emilio Damián Martínez after the Argentine was granted a work permit.
The 17-year-old stopper signed for the Gunners following a trial last August, but has only just received the permit that makes him available for
Arsenal U18s next season and higher if needed.
Arsenal blog site Young Guns had previously revealed that Arsene Wenger had landed the Argentine U17 international, who returned to parent club Independiente following his initial signing.
The Gunners then invited Martinez back to north London a few months back, confident that they would be able to secure the necessary paperwork for the talented teenager.
Martinez becomes available as of July 1st, and is expected to become the number one next season for the Academy side. He will also be available at the higher levels should Frenchman Wenger decide to promote the stopper through the ranks.
A behind-closed-doors debut for the Gunners against Colorado Rapids is thought to have taken place in March, and Martinez now holds an incentive-based contract in the region of Ģ1.3 million.
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