Benitez says Jones row not his fault

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez denied Monday suggestions made by Sunderland counterpart that the Anfield club had been “disrespectful” in their pursuit of Black Cats striker Kenwyne Jones.

And the Reds’ Spanish boss insisted he’d played no part in any talks.

Bruce said last week Liverpool had tried to unsettle the Trinidad and Tobago international, whom Benitez is believed to want to sign on loan as cover for the injured Fernando Torres.

But Benitez said Monday: “I was not dealing with this.

“(Managing director) Christian Purslow has been talking with (Sunderland chairman) Niall Quinn so they have to manage the situation because I was not doing anything.

“I prefer not to talk too much because we will create a debate so Christian and Niall will continue to talk if they need to talk.

“They were in contact but I don’t know what the situation is now.”

On Friday, Bruce said: “I find it hugely disrespectful, the antics of Liverpool and this constant badgering of Kenwyne Jones, when we as a club haven’t heard anything.

“I don’t know whether they are serious or whether Rafa is playing games with his board. It might be power games at Liverpool.”

Meanwhile, Benitez downplayed reports linking Liverpool with a move for Standard Liege striker Milan Jovanovic.

“When they talk about us the radar is very big with 100 players all around the world,” Benitez said.

“They are names but we don’t talk about players. All I can tell you is he (Jovanovic) is a good player.”

Benitez did say however, that goalkeeper Jose Reina, one of Liverpool’s leading players in a so far disappointing season for the Merseysiders, is to be offered a new contract, possibly for as long as five years.

“We have had a conversation with his agent and we know his idea, he knows our idea, and conversations will continue,” Benitez said.

“I think it will be easy to finalise and have an agreement.”

Liverpool travel to Wolves on Tuesday in a bid to extend a four-match unbeaten run.

They know that victory at Molineux, combined with results elsewhere, would get Liverpool back into the top four place Benitez “guaranteed” they would occupy at the end of the season.

Liverpool could have captain Steven Gerrard back from a hamstring injury ahead of schedule against Wolves, having coped better than many expected in the England midfielder’s absence.

“It will be a typical, physical Premier League game but in terms of our commitment and the mentality it has to be the same,” Benitez said of facing relegation-threatened Wolves.

“When you see the players working so hard it is clear they are taking responsibility.

“Gerrard has had (injury) problems during the season but it is good for us the captain is coming back.

“It is always important for us because he can change games. If he can see the team is working so hard he will be a key player not just because of his quality but his mentality on the pitch.

“The mood is very positive and everyone wants to be involved. You can see we have more confidence but, in football, you have to win the next game.

“I am pleased to see the team in this position.”