Benitez out to repay Reds' faith

The Liverpool manager admitted Wednesday night's 4-1 triumph over Porto was an emotional experience after a week of speculation that he was about to be sacked because of his continued row with his club's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett over transfer policy.

After beating Porto, Benitez said he was "really proud of the fans and team" adding he wanted to "thank them with all my heart."

"It has all been rather emotional for two reasons," said the Spaniard. "First, we needed to stay in the Champions League - and then, because of the support I received.

"It has been a difficult few days and something I was not expecting. I was just trying to do my job properly, although at the end of the match I was able to enjoy it all a little bit.

"Now we must maintain this form and keep improving. People now - who had thought we were out of Europe - will say we have a chance. I certainly am happier about the situation than I was six weeks ago."

After seeing two goals from Fernando Torres and one each from Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch keep Liverpool's dreams alive, Benitez insisted he has no problem with the club owners.

"Firstly I must thank the Liverpool fans - they are always magnificent," he said after a night which began with supporters staging a protest march to the stadium to back the manager and continued with his name being chanted constantly in a packed Anfield.

"I promise you; I was only thinking of the game and my responsibilities. But thank you supporters - you were fantastic."

Benitez then broke his silence of the past few days on more contentious issues. "I do not have any personal problem with the owners - I was just talking about the club's future," he said, clarifying previous remarks.