Benitez basks in Real win and vows to stay put

Phil SEERY

Rafael Benitez emphasised he had no intention of resigning at Liverpool amid the growing rumours and saluted his side for their 1-0 victory at old club Real Madrid in the first leg of the last 16 Champions League tie at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Benitez has stalled on signing a new contract at Liverpool - where he has been manager since 2004 - and was peppered about questions over his future.

"I was clear before the game that I was not thinking of resigning," said Benitez.

"I plan to keep working and hope things go well in the future.

"We have plenty of time to talk over my contract. My lawyer can talk with advisers."

Benitez is said to have a frosty relationship with feuding American co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks but his rapport with the fans remains intact as they chanted his name throughout the match.

Yossi Benayoun's late header gave Liverpool a vital away goal to cling to and sealed a magnificent win which was achieved without injured captain Steve Gerrard, while star striker Fernando Torres struggled through most of the match with an injury before being taken off.

"We tried to play on the counter attack but it was difficult as we didn't expect Torres to be injured from the first minute after he twisted his ankle," explained Benitez.

"We didn't know about Gerrard (that he wouldn't be available) until the last minute."

Gerrard had been out since the beginning of February with a torn hamstring and the injury-prone Torres now faces some time on the sidelines. "I was told by the doctor that Torres's ankle wasn't that bad and we could keep him on the pitch," added Benitez. "He was struggling in the second half so we took him off for fresh legs.

"Torres will probably now miss some games. We have a game in three days (against Middlesbrough) so it will be difficult for him to make that."

But it was job done for Benitez on his return to Real - where he coached the youth team - and Spain is proving a happy hunting ground for him.

Liverpool beat Barcelona at Camp Nou in the first knockout stage of the 2007 Champions League and have now won at another fortress in the Bernabeu.

An away goal means Liverpool can progress if they can shut Real out again at Anfield in the return leg on March 10 but Benitez warned it would not be easy.

MADRID, Thursday, AFP