"The only difference is in the press conferences," he added with a grin - an impish reference to Jose Mourinho's fondness for stirring rivalries through the media.
"In some games the managers are important," said Benitez. "But the best thing for a manager to do is not create any mess, so the players can just play."
Asked whether he missed the verbal jousting with Mourinho, he shook his head and said: "Maybe you do, but not me. I have enough things to do in Liverpool now."