Benitez shrugs off Anfield crisis talk; Reds too good for Fulham-the SCORE.

Byline: By IAN DOYLE

UPBEAT Rafael Benitez insists he does not feel under any extra pressure as the civil war rages behind the scenes at Liverpool.

The Anfield outfit entertain Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tomorrow with the managers of both teams under intense scrutiny.

Fresh doubts have emerged over Benitez's future following further revelations concerning Liverpool's talks with Jurgen Klinsmann in November.

Chelsea manager Avram Grant's position has also been the subject of speculation over recent months, culminating in a bizarre Press conference after his team's win at Everton last Thursday.

Privately, Benitez has grown weary of the off-field uncertainty engendered by the breakdown in relations between co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

But, as he prepares for tomorrow's semi-final, the Spaniard says his enjoyment and desire has not been diminished by the problems.

"It's difficult to have a measure of the pressure on each manager," said Benitez. "We've spoken about this in the past and people have said we were playing mind games (in previous semi-finals with Chelsea), stupid things like this. Everyone wants to win. I have my own pressure. I want to win every game. I will approach the game under pressure, but happy because we are in a semi-final.

"I like football. I know when we have some problems and are under pressure, I always think about people who are in a worse position than us in other walks of life. So I try to enjoy my profession."

Most critics of Chelsea manager Grant believe Jose Mourinho should not have been sacked from Stamford Bridge during the opening months of the season.

But when asked if he missed Mourinho, Benitez (right) responded: "You (the journalists) miss him. But not me. I have enough things to do in Liverpool now. I don't like talking about him. As a manager, I have a lot of respect for him because he's doing his job.

"At the end of the day, the players will be the key more than the managers.

"But the best thing for a manager to do is not create any mess so the players can just play."

Benitez added: "I can't see much difference between Chelsea this season and last.

May be only in the press c onferences!"

CAPTION(S):

Reds boss Rafael Benitez