Smoggies v Toon For Woody?

Last updated : 26 August 2006 By Footy Mad - Editor



Well ... Rafael Benitez now insists that Liverpool are not in talks regarding a move for the Real Madrid defender.

Liverpool currently have a defensive crisis with Jamie Carragher, Gabriel Paletta, John Arne Riise and Stephen Warnock all out of action with an assortment of injuries. But Benitez insists he is not in the market for the former Newcastle centre-back.

Benitez: "We are not talking with Woodgate. It is a rumour and the first I heard of it was in the newspapers. There is no interest in this player."

Real Madrid have agreed to loan him back to a Premiership club, with Middlesbrough and the Mags after his services. Madrid officials have met Woodgate and informed him that they are looking to loan him out for a season so that he can prove his fitness after making only nine league appearances since joining from Newcastle United for £13.4m in August 2004.

Watch this space.