Benitez: I'm still committed

As Liverpool only managed a draw at the Riverside against Middlesbrough, Rafa Benitez's future again came under increasing scrutiny. However, Benitez has slammed suggestions he will be leaving and Jose Mourinho is being lined up to replace him.

“I am trying to concentrate on the next game. You could see in the second half we were changing things because we were just analysing the game.

“You must concentrate on games and not anything else because you cannot change those things.”

Benitez added: “In this position, you cannot think about the leaders, you must think about the next game against Luton, and after the next one against Aston Villa.

“You can play well, you can create chances, but you need to win. You can talk and talk but at the end of the day, you must win on the pitch.

“When you talk about a draw away, sometimes you think that is good but, especially when you are trying to reduce the gap and be closer, you must be disappointed.”