The Sun has broken down Benitez's tetchy performance as it emerges today he's fed-up with the lack of communication from Liverpool's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett over transfer funds for the January market.

Benitez, who last week turned down overtures from Bayern Munich, arrived 35 minutes late for his usual media briefing. This is how he dealt with the probing:

How much will you have to spend in January?
"As always I am focused on training and coaching my team."

Are there assurances you'll have what you want?
"As always I am focused on training and coaching my team."

So what is the long-term plan?
"My plan is training and coaching the team."

Is there anything upsetting you?

"As always I am focused on training and coaching my team."

Do you have anything to say?
"As always I am focused on training and coaching my team."

Even off the record?
"No."

It's clear something is up.
"You have my answer."

You're very different from normal.
"You have my answer."

You said after the Bayern story you were happy to stay here a long time. Is that still the case?
"As always I am focused on training and coaching my team."

You're not normally late. You were obviously preoccupied by something.
"Because as always I was focusing on the training session."

Is there anything you'd like to say?
"As always I am focused on training and coaching my team."

You always say you're focused on that but usually give off-the-record answers to enquiries. How come it's suddenly changed?
"No off-the-record stuff. Nothing. I'm just focused on training and coaching as always."

You suggested you were open to the possibility of the England job. Is that something we should treat seriously?
"It's your decision. You never know what will happen in the future."

Were you serious when you answered it?
"I was serious."

One day you're looking to stay here a long time, the next who knows about the England job. That's a contradiction.
"The future is the future. Now, as always, I am focused on training and coaching my team, so I cannot say anything else. Just to keep preparing for the next game."

So what you're saying suggests perhaps the future here is in question?
"I am focused on training and coaching my team."

So who knows?
"As always I am focused on training and coaching my team."

Are you being allowed to do that as you wish?
"I am focused on training and coaching my team."

Does everyone at the club share that opinion?
"As always I am focused on training and coaching my team."