Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has great sympathy for Lawrie Sanchez after his dismissal yesterday by Fulham.

Benitez admits he hopes his board show more patience with him, saying: "I have sympathy for Lawrie Sanchez. The key to being successful is time. There is too much money and a lot of pressure because everyone wants to win.

"At Liverpool we are trying to build something.

"The average age of the reserve side is 17 and we are top of the reserve table.

"Everyone talks about Arsenal's young players but if you wait two or three years you will see some of our players who are now 16 ready for the first team."