Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has rubbished speculation he has demanded a salary boost in his contract negotiations.
Benitez claims he instructed his agent, who is holding talks with owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett over a new deal to replace his current contract which runs out in 18 months, that the length of new terms and Anfield took priority over a pay rise.
However, rumours have emerged that the Spaniard - who is preparing his side for Tuesday's UEFA Champions League outing at PSV Eindhoven - is seeking more money on Merseyside.
Benitez, though, insists his main focus is to secure a long-term deal with the Premier League title hopefuls.
"I was surprised by what I read. Surprised that I have seen that I was demanding more money. That is not true," said the former Valencia boss.
"I told my agent when he went into the talks to not talk about money, the question was about the length of the contract, and after that it was my role. The last question was about the money.
"So when you see things said (about money), it means people are either not telling the truth or that people have very bad information or they want to create a mess.
"I was very disappointed with this. I say again, it is not true. I was not asking for anything, just telling my advisors to go to the meeting and hear what they (the owners) want. The owners were talking about an extension.
"Again I say, people have very bad information. Hopefully it will be resolved sooner rather than later, but I do not know when.
"I was pleased with the first meeting, and more so in the second meeting, that was better. Again I am very clear, people are trying to create a mess and I do not know why."
Initial claims were that the owners are prepared to only offer a two-year extension, with Benitez clearly wanting more.
He said: "We are talking about more (years) now, and we are happy with the talks."
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