Hard to dent Benitez's confidence

Andy Hunterfinds a defiant manager calling for the sort of patience Arsenal have shown to Arsene Wenger

Rafael Benitez took a defiant stand yesterday with a declaration that he does have a long-term future at Anfield and remains the man to deliver the Premier League title.

The Liverpool manager set what he hopes will prove the tone of his team's performance against Internazionale in the Champions League tonight when, having been backed into a corner by Saturday's English FA Cup exit to Barnsley, he came out fighting for his Anfield career on the eve of the biggest game of the season.

Defeat over two legs by the Italian champions would guarantee a second successive trophy-less season for Liverpool and weaken the Spaniard's hand when his position is reviewed this summer.

Benitez claimed to have identified the changes needed at the club and said he could challenge for the title if shown the patience that Arsene Wenger has received from the Arsenal board over the past four years.

Liverpool's chairmen, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, or Dubai International Capital, which still hopes to buy the club, will have the ultimate say on whether the manager gets that opportunity.

"I have a lot of confidence that I will stay here for a long time because my commitment is 100 per cent to the club and I am sure that we can improve and win games," said Benitez.

"I think the club are 100 per cent committed to me also. I don't have any suggestion the other way, but I do understand why I am under pressure.

"I think we must progress in the Champions League as far as we can and we must make sure we finish in the top four, as that's important. I have two years left on my contract and I'm sure I will be here for a long time."

Benitez pointed to two European Cup finals in three seasons as evidence that his Anfield reputation should not stand or fall by the daunting encounters against Roberto Mancini's Inter.

That record is superior to Alex Ferguson's and Wenger's in Europe, although Benitez believes it will take time for his Arsenal-esque youth policy to bear fruit in the Premier League.

"I am surprised that I am asked whether I need to win the Champions League to save my job," he said. "How many managers have won the Champions League once? Tell me. How many have got to the final twice in three years or won it twice?

"Think about the top managers in the Premier League and their record. In three years Arsenal have won one cup. It takes time. We have the reserve team at the top of the league and we have young players here like Lucas and Ryan Babel, so I think we have more quality than when I first arrived. But you need more experience."

Benitez would not be drawn on whether he was working against unrealistic expectations at a club which last won the league title in 1990, but he insisted he no longer fears losing his job on account of last autumn's public spat with Hicks.

"When I arrived here it was 21 years without winning the Champions League and 15 years without winning the Premier League. Why?" asked the Liverpool manager. "I don't know about the expectations, but one thing I do know is that Mr Hicks was been very supportive of me and that's very positive for me.

"You cannot change what's already happened, but after the meeting (in December) everything has been clarified and he was supporting me all the time."

Liverpool have Fernando Torres back from a hamstring tear to lead the line tonight, and Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Jose Reina are available (only Gerrard, from the bench, having featured against Barnsley).

Irrespective of whether the club claims another European scalp from an underwhelming domestic campaign or is left with only the fourth Champions League qualifying place to aim for, Benitez's self-confidence will be unaffected.

"I am sure I can win more titles for this club because I have a clear idea about what to do in the future," he said. "I wouldn't say if it's wrong or not (to change manager), but I would say I have confidence that we can win more titles.

"We will need to change things. Maybe I will change things, but it is clear I have the confidence to do it."