The Spaniard was speaking after watching Liverpool beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash, with Yossi Benayoun scoring the only goal.

Referring to the speculation about his future, Benitez told Sky Sports: "I didn't know, I was talking with my friends here in Spain and concentrating on the game."

Asked if there was any truth in the rumours, he said: "No, clearly I was thinking about the game.

"There are important games coming up and I want to concentrate just on the games, and I'll keep in touch with the owners."

Benitez has so far refused to sign a new contract and is demanding total control over transfers.

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher also dismissed the speculation about Benitez.

Carragher told Sky Sports: "I got a text message about it but Liverpool have created a lot of rumours over the years and that's another one. It was a rumour and there's nothing in it."

The centre-back felt Liverpool's organisation was the key to tonight's victory at the Bernabeu, where they restricted Real to a handful of long-range efforts.

"It's exactly what you're looking for, a clean sheet and an away goal," he added.

"But it's only half-time and they know what they need to do.

"We base ourselves on being organised, we're probably one of the most organised teams and that was evident again tonight. The away goal's massive in Europe."

Benitez was delighted with the result, which was achieved with only a brief cameo from talismanic skipper Steven Gerrard while striker Fernando Torres picked up an ankle injury and only lasted an hour.

"We knew it could be very difficult, they had a lot of confidence and we needed to work very hard," Benitez said.

"At the end we scored a very good goal, without Gerrard, without Torres."

Referring to Torres' injury, Benitez added: "It was in the first minute, I could see he was not fully fit and it could be a risk for the next few games (if he had stayed on)."