However, Benitez has now distanced Liverpool from the reports - denying that Joaquin's agent was at the Chelsea game. "These stories are false," said Benitez. "I keep reading in the Spanish press that we are trying to take Joaquin to England. The agent did not come to the Chelsea game and we have never made any offer or suggested other players as part of a transfer deal." Although he does need a right winger, Benitez denied Joaquin was a target. "Our position is clear," he added. "We are not interested in bringing the player to Anfield and I can only assume that people in Spain are trying to move the player out of Betis."
However Liverpool are supposebly very keen to bring South African born Steven Pienaar to the club. The 23-year-old has come through the Dutch giants' youth academy firstly with their South African branch, before moving to Holland in 2001. Pienaar has become an integral part of the Ajax side, with his ability to play anywhere in midfield proving invaluable. However, Pienaar's abilities have not gone unnoticed and a clutch of Europe's biggest clubs have been alerted to the fact that he is now in the final year of his contract. Ajax are desperate for him to sign a new deal, but they would appear to be facing an uphill battle to get him signed on before January - when Pienaar will be allowed to talk to any interested clubs.
"It is our intention to attach him longer to our team," said Ajax technical director Martin Van Geel. "With this offer we show our confidence, not just personally but financially." Pienaar's agent Rob Moore is due to meet with Ajax's management. A host of other clubs are said to be intrested including the likes of Man City, Arsenal, Weder Bremen, Hamburg and Borussia Dortmund.
Personaly I would love to see both players playing in the Premiership because what I have seen of them in the last few years they look like brilliant footballers. I think Liverpool fans will be getting a little bit excited at the prospect of bringing players like Pienaar and Joaquin (although it looks as though he won't be going to Anfield). Pienaar shouldn't cost as much as he would normally cost because his contract is expiring and Ajax should cash in on him now before he leaves for free next summer.
