Yossi Benayoun has pledged his future to Liverpool after coming to terms with Rafa Benitez's rotation policy.
Israel international adapting to life under Benitez
Yossi Benayoun has pledged his future to Liverpool after coming to terms with Rafa Benitez's squad rotation policy.
The Israel international was linked with a move away from the club during the January transfer window as he was reportedly unsettled at his lack of action.
But the midfielder has been in fine form in recent weeks, scoring the crucial winner in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 victory away to Real Madrid and then on target again in Tuesday night's victory over Sunderland.
Benayoun now realises that he will not be playing every week and even his match-winning display at Real cannot guarantee him a place in the squad for the next match.
Settled
He said: "With the number of top players we've got, you accept you won't always be playing and that you have to give it everything when your chance comes along. But that's fine with me.
"If I found myself going three or four months without setting foot on the pitch, it might be different. But as things stand, that is not an issue with me.
"I feel settled and I'm happy to be contributing. I am also learning how things work here. You can score a very famous goal and it will be forgotten the following day as far as the manager is concerned.
"He only thinks of the next challenge, and that is how it should be. It has taught me you can't rest on your laurels."
Madness
And Benayoun has revealed how Reds boss Benitez did not even congratulate his players after their memorable victory at Santiago Bernabeu, with the Spaniard remaining calm amidst the post-match celebrations.
He added: "After we won in Madrid last week it was madness in our changing rooms. Everyone was screaming and shouting - except for the manager.
"He was his usual calm self and didn't even congratulate us or shake hands. But that's just how he is and I am beginning to understand why."
