Rafa Benitez has addressed the discontent from Everton fans over his appointment as the club's manager.

The Spaniard signed a three-year deal with the Toffees on Wednesday, despite protests from a section of Everton supporters.

Benitez spent six years in charge of Liverpool, and during that time he made disparaging comments about the Reds' local rivals.

Asked about calling Everton a 'small club' back in 2007 when in charge of Liverpool, Benitez explained: "I have been in Madrid, Naples, Valencia, Tenerife, Extremadura and Liverpool.

"Every single club I was there, I was fighting for them. If you analyse things in the context, what you are expecting from your manager is to fight for your club, and I will do that.

"I am here, I will fight for my club, I will try to win every single game, and it doesn't matter who the opponents are, or the rivals. It is something you have to do, it is your nature, that you have to try to do your best.

"And why a lot of fans in a lot of these cities love me is because I was giving everything for them. If you analyse this in the context, then it is very clear I will do the same for Everton."