Ayestaran worries for Liverpool

Pako Ayestaran, Rafa Benitez's ex-number 2, has been placed on gardening leave at Liverpool over concerns that Premiership rivals Man City, Chelsea and Man Utd could both be considering offering Rafa's former assistant a contract.

The Liverpool Echo says Ayesteran is in the process of severing his ties at Anfield, but it's feared Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson are ready to pounce for his services.

Benitez will be keen to keep Pako under contract for as long as possible as he will have much information regarding tactics, coaching and technical information at Liverpool that could be passed on to Premiership rivals.