 RAFA Benitez was today facing up the reality that Jurgen Klinsmann was being lined up to replace him as Liverpool manager. Weeks of speculation about Benitez’s future culminated today when Tom Hicks confirmed to the ECHO that he and co-owner George Gillett held secret talks with the German. Benitez is now aware of the revelations but does not wish to comment, preferring to keep a dignified silence as speculation mounts about his future. Klinsmann was appointed Bayern Munich’s new manager on Friday but Liverpool’s owners’ interest in him dates back to the autumn when Hicks and Gillett were unhappy at both the performance of the team and their relationship with Benitez. Today’s revelations are unlikely to improve that relationship, although Hicks does insist Benitez has the support of both himself and Gillett. With Klinsmann now out of the frame, the spotlight this weekend turned on Jose Mourinho with some reports suggesting the former Chelsea boss was ready to take over if Liverpool parted company with Benitez. But, in an angry outburst, Mourinho’s representative Eladio Parames blasted the reports, insisting they were not fuelled by the Portuguese. “These are abhorrent and heinous ideas,” he said. “Some media have consistently linked Jose Mourinho’s name with various clubs without, as they are ethically bound to do, trying to determine the truth of these reports.” The statement insisted that neither Mourinho nor his agent Jorge Mendes had had contact with any club regarding a possible return to management for the self-titled “Special One”. And Parames slammed sections of the media, accusing them of taking advantage of Benitez’s current problems at Liverpool. He added: “It is unacceptable that the unscrupulous press uses the name of Mourinho when they try to create or profit from current controversial situations in different teams as has happened recently.” Meanwhile, Benitez was today preparing his team for tomorrow night’s FA Cup 3rd round replay against Luton Town at Anfield. | 
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