From: ESPNSTAR.COM http://www.espnstar.com/jsp/cda/football/epl/aid=1045644epl_newsdetail.html LIVERPOOL, England, (AFP) - Rafael Benitez has been confirmed as the new manager of Liverpool. The former Valencia manager was unveiled in a press conference at Anfield on Wednesday. Benitez replaces Gerard Houllier who parted company with the Merseyside club on May 24 after another disappointing season. The Spaniard had turned down an offer by Valencia to extend his contract for a further two years and left the club on June 1. The 44-year-old Benitez won the Spanish title in his first season in charge of Valencia after taking over from Hector Cuper in 2001. He also led Valencia to the Primera League and UEFA Cup double last year, his success in the tough climate of Spanish football leading to a torrent of offers from other European clubs. Liverpool were said to have made him their number one target following the departure of Houllier after six seasons in charge. Houllier had announced he was leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, bringing to an end months of speculation about his future. The Merseysiders hoped to convince star players Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard to pledge their future to the club if they appointed Benitez. Owen has expressed his admiration of Benitez's tenure at Valencia after they recorded victories against Liverpool home and away in the Champions League two seasons ago. The England striker said he would wait for the appointment of a new manager before making a decision about signing a new contract. Liverpool have been waiting for chief executive Rick Parry to return from holiday before formally appointing a new manager. Parry has been quoted as saying that a Champions League place was the minimum requirement last season for a club of such standing. Houllier eventually achieved that goal by finishing fourth in the Premiership and securing a berth in the Champions League qualifying stages. But Parry's comments were seen as reflecting the growing impatience among fans with the Houllier regime. Liverpool missed out on a place in the elite European club competition the previous year after losing to Chelsea in the final match of the season. Houllier arrived at Liverpool in July 1998 initially as joint manager with Roy Evans but was appointed sole manager in November. The former France manager arrived with the reputation of having been the architect of France's football revolution as technical director of the French Football Federation. Liverpool had been in the doldrums under the stewardships of Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness and Evans and have not won the Championship since 1990. Such lack of success was all too conspicuous after the glory days of Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan when they won 10 League Championships between 1975 and 1990 and four European Cups between 1976 and 1984. Under Houllier the trophy cabinet began to fill up again as they went on to win the UEFA Cup, League Cup and FA Cup in 2001, and added the League Cup again in 2003. But frustration grew at the club's inconsistent performances especially at Anfield which was once regarded as a fortress by visiting teams. Liverpool's last chance of silverware last season disappeared on February 22 when they lost 1-0 to Portsmouth in the FA Cup. In March graffiti was daubed on the walls of Liverpools training ground calling for Houllier's resignation. Then the Frenchman revealed that he had received a death threat prior to the 1-0 defeat by Portsmouth in the FA Cup. Liverpool's last chance of silverware last season disappeared when they were knocked out of UEFA Cup by Marseille. And despite their fourth-place finish in the Premiership they were 30 points behind the champions Arsenal and 15 behind third-placed Manchester United. Houllier said he was standing down because he feared that if he stayed on as manager the pressure would be harmful to the club. "I thought it could jeopardise their performance and achievement," he said. Rafael Benitez confirmed as new Liverpool manager LIVERPOOL, England, (AFP) - Liverpool on Wednesday confirmed that former Valencia coach Rafael Benitez will take over as manager of the English Premiership club. Benitez, 44, quit Valencia on June 1 after rejecting the offer of a two-year deal and has already been replaced by the former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri. Benitez brought the Spanish title to Valencia in his first season in charge after taking over from Hector Cuper in 2001 and he added a double of Spanish league and UEFA Cup last season. Liverpool sacked Frenchman Gerard Houllier after six years in charge last month as the four-time European champions grew impatient for success. Liverpool's biggest star, Michael Owen, has delayed signing a new contract until he sees who the new manager will sign to strengthen the side. Owen has a season left on his contract and the England striker is ready to sign on after Euro 2004 but it may only be for another 12 months. Unless Benitez proves he will turn Liverpool into a major European force, Owen was believed to be ready to pack his bags. Valencia goalkeeper Santiago Canizares and Argentine duo Pablo Aimar and Roberto Ayala are believed to be on Benitez's wish-list. But he might also have to convince Steven Gerrard to stay after Chelsea were reported to be poised to make a ￡30 million (US$55 million) bid for the England midfielder. Published: June 16, 2004 -- ★ YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE ＴＨＥ　ＲＥＤＳ ★ ★ ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ★ ★ Ｌ◢█◣Ｉ◢█◣Ｖ◢█◣Ｅ◢█◣Ｒ◢█◣Ｐ◢█◣Ｏ◢█◣Ｏ◢█◣Ｌ ★ ★ 　█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ ★ ★ ＴＨＥ　ＲＥＤＳ YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE ★ --

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