Liverpool FC boss Rafa Benitez "very close" to a new deal says Rick Parry

Liverpool lead the Barclays Premier League by two points after yesterday's clash with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium - a match which Benitez was forced to miss as he recovers from surgery to remove kidney stones.

Nevertheless, an announcement on his future could be made shortly.

Parry said: "He is nearly there.

"The owners have made a commitment and said they wanted to extend and keep him. Clearly he wants to stay, so yes it will be done.

"We have had a few hold-ups this week with his unfortunate illness.

"That has slightly got in the way, but it won't be very long now. I cannot be specific, but it is very close now," he added

Benitez has often clashed with the owners over transfer policy, most notably during the on-off Gareth Barry saga last summer.

Parry hinted there may be little movement in terms of new arrivals at Anfield when the transfer window opens again next month.

"It is difficult to do smart business in January," he said.

"Teams still in the Champions League certainly are not going to sell, and it takes time to settle players in.

"Ideally you do your business in the summer, so your players can have a whole pre-season with you rather than playing catch-up. But we will see.

"I really do not think we will be doing a great deal of business in January. We have got the squad."

With star striker Fernando Torres currently sidelined by a hamstring problem, much more responsibility for leading the line has been put on Robbie Keane.

The Republic of Ireland front man has not really yet hit top form since his £20.3million move from Tottenham although he scored an excellent equaliser against Arsenal yesterday.

Parry, though, maintains off-loading Keane is not on the agenda.

"He is a great player with a fantastic track record," he said.

"Maybe it has taken him a little bit longer than both he and we would have anticipated for him to settle in, but I can still see that corner being turned with ease.

"I can't see it (Keane being sold). You can never say 'never' in football, because you never know what the next month or year will hold.

"But as I see it, he will not be going anywhere. He is certainly a Liverpool player for the foreseeable future."

Leeds have sacked manager Gary McAllister after the club's recent poor run of form.

The former Liverpool midfielder's side have lost their last four league games and slipped to ninth place in Coca-Cola League One.

The club revealed they decided to sack McAllister now to give the new manager as much time as possible in the job and enable them to strengthen the squad during the January transfer window.

A statement on the club`s official website, www.leedsunited.com, read: "The decision was made to ensure that the new manager, when appointed, has the maximum number of games possible to move the club up the table and also before the transfer window opens in January to allow him to identify any new players he thinks can strengthen the current squad.

"The club will make no further comment on a replacement until we are in a position to make an appointment."

McAllister`s sacking came just a day after a 3-1 defeat by MK Dons.

A leading contender for the post is likely to be former Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd.