Reports in Spain have been claiming that Liverpool are interested in bring Real Betis Winger Joaquin to Anfield. According the reports, the player’s agent was at Anfield last weekend to see Liverpool beaten by Chelsea, as a guest of new chief scout Paco Herrera.
Rafa Benitez has however denied the reports. According to Rafa, the newspaper has printed something that’s been made up: "These stories are false. 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."
Earlier in the week Rick Parry admitted continued Liverpool interest in Portugeuse winger Simao, and Liverpool were only thwarted in their move for Chilean winger Mark Gonzales by work permit problems. Rafa says that Joaquin is simply not wanted by the Reds, but has a theory as to why the stories have appeared: "Our position is clear. 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."