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ticle There´s no Juventus deal, insists Benitez

LONDON (AFP) - Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez on Sunday denied that he has struck a deal with struggling Italian giants Juventus to take over at the end of the season.

"Contrary to reports in the Italian media this weekend, I want to make it absolutely clear I have no agreement with Juventus and have not and will not be meeting Juventus or their representatives or any other club," Benitez said in a statement.

"I have a long-term contract with Liverpool and I'll repeat what I said on Friday. I am happy here and my only focus is to do my job as well as I can to get the team back into to the top four, beginning with the derby against Everton."

Juventus sacked coach Ciro Ferrara earlier in the week after a run of five defeats in six league games and have replaced him with Alberto Zaccheroni whose reign in Turin began with a 1-1 draw with Lazio on Sunday.

On Friday, Benitez had said he was proud of Juventus's reported interest in him.

"I know they (Juventus) were interested, that is part of the game now in football, but I am not ready to talk too much because I don't want to lose my focus," said the Spaniard.

"When you are a manager and you have clubs asking (for you), you have to be proud because they are a top side in Europe, but I am really happy here and want to do my job as best I can."

Benitez remains a highly respected coach around Europe, despite Liverpool's problems this season which have seen them knocked out of both the Champions League and the FA Cup.

Benitez is under contract at Anfield until 2013.