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Page last updated at 12:17 GMT, Friday, 27 June 2008 13:17 UK

Benayoun eager to stay at Anfield

By Russell Barder

Yossi Benayoun
Benayoun scored 11 goals in his debut season at Anfield

Yossi Benayoun wants to stay and fight for his place at Liverpool, even if the club are willing to let him go.

The 28-year-old midfielder has been linked with a move away from Anfield, with Tottenham, Portsmouth and Ajax all reported as potential suitors.

"He is a good player so it is only normal that these clubs would be interested in signing him," his agent, Ronen Katsav, told BBC Sport.

"But Yossi is very happy at Liverpool, everything is perfect for him there."

He added: "He sees his future at Liverpool. Even if the club wanted to sell him, then Yossi would say he would like to stay."

Benayoun arrived at Anfield for a fee of �5m from West Ham last summer after an impressive couple of seasons with the Hammers.

606: DEBATE
Red Tzar
Despite struggling to hold down a regular first team place in Rafael Benitez's side, the Israel captain still managed to score 11 goals in his debut season.

He starred in Liverpool's record Champions League victory over Besiktas last November, scoring a hat-trick as the Reds ran out 8-0 winners.

So far this summer, Liverpool have allowed John Arne Riise to join Roma for �4m as Benitez looks to build a squad capable of challenging for the title next season.

The Liverpool boss has also turned down a �9m offer from Portsmouth for striker Peter Crouch, while he is set to follow-up the signing of Swiss full-back Philip Degen with the capture of Italian left-back Andrea Dossena from Udinese.


see also
Liverpool set for Dossena capture
26 Jun 08 |  Liverpool
Pompey's �9m Crouch bid rejected
24 Jun 08 |  Liverpool
Reds pay tribute to exiting Riise
19 Jun 08 |  Liverpool
Liverpool complete Degen signing
20 May 08 |  Liverpool
Benayoun seals Liverpool transfer
12 Jul 07 |  Liverpool
Liverpool admit Benayoun approach
14 Jun 07 |  Liverpool


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