Liverpool FC latest: Rafael Benitez comes out fighting ahead of derby

Nov 27 2009 By Ian Doyle

RAFAEL BENITEZ has come out fighting ahead of tomorrow’s Merseyside derby as he vowed to stay at Liverpool and help prove their doubters wrong.

And the Spaniard remains convinced "100% convinced" the Anfield outfit will finish in the top four and regain their place among Europe’s elite.

Benitez made the impassioned speech ahead of the 212th Merseyside derby at Everton with Liverpool still coming to terms with their Champions League exit in midweek.

It increased the pressure on the beleaguered Anfield manager, with his team already out of the Carling Cup and a lowly seventh in the Premier League table, a massive 13 points behind leaders Chelsea.

With Steven Gerrard calling for unity, both Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina have since publicly backed their fellow Spaniard.

And Benitez has underlined his determination to continue with in the role by revealing he turned down significant offers from other clubs – clearly intimating one was Real Madrid – before signing a five-year deal at Anfield earlier this year.

"When I decided to stay here, I knew that we could be facing a difficult season," he said. "I was aware that a lot of things could happen and the competition stronger. But I decided to stay because I wanted to.

"When Real Madrid played Liverpool in the 1981 European Cup Final, I was a Real Madrid player, a fan. I decided to stay here after years of receiving offers, listening to big clubs, top sides, offering me more money, and I decided to stay here because I want the best for this club.

"I signed a five-year contract because of my commitment to the fans and the club, the staff and the players. I will keep working hard and I will keep winning games for this club and hopefully in five years’ time we can be talking about an extension to my contract.

"I understand the fans. I understand if some of them are disappointed because we want to win. I had massive offers from different clubs, but I decided to stay. I will fight and I will try to do my best every single game.

"When I signed my new contract I had offers from other clubs for more money, and a lot more money to spend in the transfer market. But I decided to stay because I felt we had a very good team. We will prove this during the rest of the season."