Benitez defends criticism of Chelsea fans during Liverpool tenure

Newly appointed Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has defended the comments he made towards Chelsea fans while he was manager of rivals Liverpool.

Blues supporters have called for their manager to apologise for his criticism directed at them while he was in charge in Merseyside, but the Spaniard stood firm when asked about the apparent feud in a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s game against neighbouring Fulham.

"The problem is we can analyse what I said and didn't say," he said.

"We can't be checking if it's true or not. I'll try my best to win their trust. That's it."

One comment that is beyond dispute is Benitez's praise of the passion of Liverpool fans, which included a sideways dig at that of Chelsea supporters.

The quote has been immortalised at the Reds' Melwood training ground and pressed on whether he would apologise for it, he said: "I was praising the fans of my club, my team.

"But I'm here now, it's my club, and I will do my best for them.

"That's my explanation, very easy and very simple.

"I will try to defend my club, and this is now my club."

Benitez added that he appreciates why his appointment has been met by a negative reaction from a group of the Stamford Bridge faithful.

"I understand the feelings of the fans because of my time at Liverpool, where we had rivalry and it was quite difficult," said the Spaniard.

"But, at the same time, I will try to prove I'm here for the right reasons.

"We want to win, and we can do that together.

"I'll try to improve players and it'll be easier to win games and bring the fans back."