Liverpool have warned off Real Madrid after rejecting a pitiful £20M offer for the reds midfielder last week.
With the season rapidly advancing Benitez is in no mood to conduct a last minute search for a replacement and Liverpool have told Madrid not to submit a new offer unless the figure is nearly doubled.
Much of the Liverpool squad returned to training on Sunday, with some key players such as Gerrard likely to return tomorrow. The Spanish contingent will return to the squad on the 19th July because of their Confederations Cup exploits.
Rafa is still privately seething over not only the actions of Madrid and Barcelona in ‘tapping up’ the players and agents over the summer, but also at Mascherano and Alonso for their own remarks to the media.
Real Madrid have also had a £3M offer for Arbeloa rejected, being told to come back if they can find £8M. Madrid have concluded the transfer of defender Raul Albiol in recent weeks which may cloud the waters over the Arbeloa transfer, as Albiol is capable of playing at right back.