You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Martin Skrtel believes his new, heavily incentivised, contract offer from Liverpool is “unacceptable” and makes him “uneasy.” Two strong words. There’s a two word response the Reds could deliver. Joe Cole. Actually there’s another two: Fabio Borini. And how about two more? Milan Jovanovic.

All three are examples of Liverpool’s previously flawed contract policy. All three were players who signed lucrative long-term deals at Anfield, not dependent on games played. And all three were players who spent long spells draining club coffers whilst making a minimal contribution to the club’s playing fortunes.

Liverpool have tried hard to end that damaging model. Clearly exceptions are being made for sought after young talents like Raheem Sterling, but Liverpool are trying to reshape their policy so that players actually earn their money now.

“Elements of performance in contracts is key; getting value is key,” said chief executive Ian Ayre in a recent interview. “Like any incentive it has to be achievable. There is no point setting goals that are just unrealistic. We pay good pay for our players; we pay fair pay. But we also like to give them the appetite to earn more which we know footballers like to do. As we all do.

“That’s a far cry from deals where it is sort of nailed on and then it doesn’t matter whether they perform or do not perform.”

All perfectly reasonable. Which begs the question, what is Martin Skrtel worried about?

Since 2009/10, when a broken foot ended his season in late February, the Slovak has boasted a remarkable record of consistency. Last season he made 52 appearances for club and country, he played 42 the previous season, 38 the season before that, 48 the campaign before and 53 in 2010/11 when he achieved the unusual feat of playing every minute of every Premier League match.

But he is now 30-years-old, so perhaps he fears the likelihood of more frequent injuries. It is understood that Skrtel has to play possibly as many as 80 per cent of Liverpool fixtures to qualify for his full salary – but that is something he hasn’t failed to do for almost five years.

He has also been offered three years with the option of a further 12-months – fair for for a player of his age. Perhaps Skrtel should look at the example of Liverpool’s most recent recruit.

James Milner has just turned down a greater contract offer from Manchester City to sign for Liverpool, because he fancies his chances of playing more football at Anfield than the Etihad. That’s the kind of hungry player you want in your squad.

If Martin Skrtel has worries that he may not play in 80 per cent of Liverpool’s matches next season, Liverpool are absolutely right not to offer him 100 per cent of his salary up front.

Benitez is as close as it gets to a guaranteed trophy winner

Is Rafa Benitez the most successful, under-appreciated manager in world football? Not many in these parts need to be reminded of Rafa’s trophy winning expertise.

Liverpool were the number one ranked club in Europe shortly before he left – this season they will be in Europa League’s Pot Two.

But it’s not just the diverse collection of cups Benitez has gathered which underlines his genius – two La Ligas, two UEFA Cups, one Italian Cup, an FA Cup, two Italian Super Cups, a FIFA Club World Cup … oh, and one Champions League - it’s the number of different clubs he has guided to those honours.

Valencia, Napoli, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Liverpool have all benefited from his trophy-winning expertise. Benitez is about as close as it gets to a guaranteed trophy winner.

Yet not all have cherished his input. At Chelsea he was publicly harangued, his Inter Milan stint was unloved and after leaving Napoli this week he was presented with a signed football by the players (make of that what you will). Even his return to his spiritual home of Real Madrid has raised some eyebrows.

But while Benitez may lack the public charisma of a Mourinho or a Van Gaal – privately he can be charming and engaging. And he is also one of the finest tactical minds in world football.

Sure, he is also controlling, headstrong and capable of causing a fight in an empty room. But he is also a nailed on winner. So why is he only loved in Merseyside and Valencia?