Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has insisted that he has no intention of leaving the club to become the new coach at Real Madrid.

Real sacked Wanderley Luxemburgo on Sunday and Benitez, who spent a number of years at the Bernabeu coaching the junior and reserve sides, has been linked with the vacancy.

However, the former Valencia coach was quick to play down the speculation.

“I am happy at Liverpool, I am Liverpool’s manager and I have a job to do here,” said Benitez when questioned on reports linking him to Real Madrid.

“I have said this in the past and now I have an important game in the Champions League against Chelsea (on Tuesday) to think about and that is all that is on my mind.

“I certainly will not allow this speculation to disrupt my preparation for the game, but as I say, I am happy here at this club.”

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