Under-pressure Ince faces a tough match against his former club at Ewood Park on Saturday as Blackburn try to shock the Premier League leaders.

But if Blackburn lose in front of their own fans and Liverpool continue their excellent away form this season, Ince's job could well be under threat.

It is a situation that Benitez finds unpalatable, because he believes Ince can become a top-class manager.

The Reds manager also admitted on Friday to being "very surprised" at Roy Keane's decision to walk away from Sunderland.

Keane and Ince were considered two of the brightest young managerial prospects in the country, and the fear is that Ince will follow Keane out of the game.

Benitez said: "I cannot allow myself to think of anything but my own team, my responsibility is to win every game for Liverpool.

"I will try to do that and I wish Paul Ince all the best for the future, but only after this game.

"Hopefully we can beat Blackburn and Paul Ince will stay at the club.

"He is a young manager and he can become very good with more experience. It is part of the game to learn how to manage under pressure. That only comes with time."

Liverpool have lost just one of their last 19 league meetings with Blackburn, and a victory would be their 50th over their Lancashire rivals in 121 meetings.

But with Blackburn in the relegation zone, and Liverpool a point clear at the top, the game has all the makings of a real battle.

Benitez says: "It will be difficult at Blackburn because they are under pressure and that makes them more dangerous. They will be desperate to win so it will be difficult, very tough.

"But we have confidence. They will work really hard and it could be a physical game, but they have players with quality, but with the confidence we have, we know we can win.

"Blackburn are down at the bottom and have just lost in the Carling Cup. So we will have to play at our very best against them."

Benitez, who will still be without Fernando Torres and Fabio Aurelio through injury, admits his life is dominated by his job.

Benitez insisted: "The pressures are great. I try to be relaxed, to be calm and it is not easy to switch off.

"But I am the kind of manager who likes to be thinking about football, so I cannot switch off too much.

"You try to enjoy time with your family, but more or less the job consumes me 24/7. My wife is a saint."