Benitez added: “I am at a massive club with lots of fans. I was really pleased with our fans supporting the team today. It would never be easy to leave this club.

“This year hasn’t been the best but we have to change. Any manager who has a bad season wants to improve.”

Nevertheless, the uneasy relationship between Benitez and the Anfield hierarchy was evident yesterday when the Spaniard sought to distance himself from reports he is willing to sell Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres in the summer.

“I have shown my commitment over the last six years and if I stay then I will not sell Gerrard or Torres,” said Benitez. “If I stay I am not thinking to sell them, just in case the senior sources at the club say otherwise. It’s always an exclusive in some papers.

“If I stay then I don’t want to sell Gerrard and Torres. I’m very clear about this. That’s my position.”

Yesterday’s game was an historic occasion for Jack Robinson, who became the youngster player in Liverpool’s history when he was introduced as an 88th-minute substitute.