Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez insists he celebrates victories with his players.

Madrid match-winner Yossi Benayoun was quoted as saying Benitez chose not to join in the celebrations in the Bernabeu's away dressing room, but the Liverpool manager countered: "There was some talk about me not saying 'well done' to the players, but, believe me, that is not the case. Every day since I took over five years ago, I have made a point of congratulating the players and staff for what they have done.

"I am standing in the doorway of the dressing room when the players come in and always I shake their hand and say: 'Good effort, well done'. The other day, I made a point of telling David Ngog that not only was he playing but he would score a goal. When he did, I said to him that it was fantastic.

"If it has a positive effect on a player, I will always do it, but some don't need it. Benayoun is probably one, because he is clever and knows what I am all about.

"I am hard to please. There is a saying in Spain about a manager never being satisfied and that is probably right. If I look unemotional on the touchline when we score a goal, it is because my mind is on how we can improve. I am actually celebrating inside, but I am always thinking about what we could do better.

"Would I ever be completely satisfied? Maybe if we scored five goals and did not concede. There again, I would probably find fault somewhere."