By Chris Wright
According to the BBC Sport website, the Liverpool board have offered manager Rafa Benitez a £3 million severance deal that would see him leave the club with immediate effect.
It has been reported that it would cost Liverpool upwards of £16 million to fully buy-out the remainder of Benitez’ contract if they were to sack him, and so it would appear the Anfield board are trying to negotiate a compromised pay-off that would allow both parties to start afresh.
The Liverpool hierarchy are understood to be keen to use Inter Milan’s well-publicised interest in acquiring Benitez’ services as leverage to usher the former Valencia boss out of the club for a fraction of the price it would cost to can him outright.
UPDATE: Sky Sports News seem to think that Benitez will leave Liverpool within the next 48 hours, with Kenny Dalglish taking temporary charge.
More to follow…