Benitez unveiled as new Reds boss

Liverpool this afternoon unveiled Rafael Benitez as their new manager.

The Spaniard stood down as coach of Valencia after guiding the club to the Primera Liga title and the UEFA Cup last season.

He was confirmed as the successor to Gerard Houllier, who was sacked last month, at a press conference at Anfield.

Benitez had to serve a 15-day notice period following his resignation from Valencia before taking on a new job.

His first game in charge will be a pre-season friendly against Celtic at East Hartford on July 26.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said he was convinced he had secured the best possible replacement for Gerard Houllier, who left the club last month.

Parry said: “Rafael has an outstanding track record and two Spanish League titles in three years speaks for itself.

“What was important for us was his evident enthusiasm for the job. Rafael clearly wanted to come to Liverpool and that is why he was our number one target.

“He is not promising instant success but he has the track record and the appetite. He is young, enthusiastic and hungry for more success.”

Benitez said on Sky Sports News: "I am a very, very proud man today because all the coaches in Spain like to be at the best club. We know Liverpool are one of the most important clubs in the world.

“I know the history of Liverpool Football Club. It is big, wonderful.

“I am young, I want to win a lot of matches and I want to win in the right way. I want the supporters to be proud of the team, of the manager, of the players, of the club. It is a dream to come to one of the best leagues in world, one of the best teams.”

He added: “My assistant [at Valencia] told me when he was younger he wrote letters to Liverpool telling them he needed some shirts for his village team. Liverpool sent him the shirts.

“Always when we see the Premiership on TV we see Liverpool and it is wonderful. I hope to be here a long time. This is a big challenge.”

Asked if it was difficult to leave Valencia after achieving so much, he said: “It was difficult. Valencia is a wonderful club and a wonderful team. You have to look for another club with more possibilities.”

Benitez believes the mentality of the English players at the club can help the Anfield side close the gap on the Premiership's top three.

He explained: “I know the Premiership and I think perhaps I need to change something.

“We need to improve how to do the right things and I need to talk to the players and staff to know how the Premiership mentality is.

“I’ve noticed the players here fight and have spirit. I’ve spoken with my friend Steve McClaren and asked him ‘how do you obtain this spirit?’. He said ‘we just have it’ – but in Spain it is different.

“In England you have an advantage, the players know what it means to the supporters, they know a lot of people are watching them.

“We work with a different manner in Spain, but perhaps with my ideas and spirit I can do something to improve them.

“The work of Gerard Houllier was very, very good but each manager has his own ideas and I think I can teach something different.”

He continued: “The feeling when you come here to Anfield and see all the supporters is wonderful for a foreign manager.

“I hope the players – like us – think it’s possible for us to win more things.

“But I’m not going to say it will take, one, two or three years.

“The most important thing is to be a team and for every player to know what they have to do on the field.

“It means a lot of hours working and talking with players – it’s what is best for the team that matters, not what is best for the player.

“I didn’t come here to learn English, I’ve come to win and I want the players to have the same mentality – if not it’s impossible to play against other teams.”

Benitez believes it is important that England internationals Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen remain at Anfield if the club are to challenge for honours.

He added: “I want to talk with them – I need these players and players like them with a good mentality and quality.

“They know what Liverpool means and both are very important to us.”

Parry added that he hopes he will be able to assist as Benitez considers strengthening his squad.

The chief executive said: “We’ve had a lot of discussions already.

“Rafael’s thirst for information is quite unbelievable and I hope he wont be disappointed – we’ll try to do the best thing for the club.”

Benitez added: “I will have names in my head and I’ll tell Mr Parry this - but it’s important to sign the right player for our team.”