Benitez (right) reportedly has his sights on a reunion with Mascherano
By Nigel Adderley BBC Sport in Monaco
Inter Milan coach Rafael Benitez has distanced himself from reports linking his club with moves for Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano.
Roy Hodgson, who succeeded Benitez as Liverpool boss this summer, claims the Spaniard signed an agreement that prevents him signing Reds players.
But Benitez says he plays no part in transfers at the Italian champions.
"I am the coach, the coach can't sign any player. It has to be the technical director or the chairman," he said.
Liverpool midfielder Mascherano has made it clear he wishes to leave the club and move to another country and the Anfield outfit have subsequently received an offer of about £12m from Barcelona which was rejected.
Newspaper reports suggested Inter had offered £20m for the Argentina captain, while also lining up a £14m move for Dutch forward Kuyt, both players whom Benitez bought while at Liverpool.
But Benitez, who is in Monaco for Inter's Super Cup match against Athletico Madrid on Friday night, denied any involvement in trying to take the players to Italy.
"I can guarantee you I am just focusing on training the team and trying to do my best on the pitch," said Benitez.
"I am the coach, we have a technical director and a chairman who have a very good relationship with Roy Hodgson so it's a problem for them."
"I'm trying to improve my Italian so it's easier for them to understand me. The organisation of the club is so big and as there is such a good relationship with Hodgson I don't need to be involved. I just try to do my best where I have an influence."
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