Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has defended comments he made about the club's fans during his time at Liverpool.

The former Reds chief praised the passion of the Merseyside faithful while at the club, as well as including a subtle dig at the Blues supporters.

Fans of the London club have been seeking an apology from the Spaniard, but Benitez is standing firm over his statement.

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

"I will try to defend my club, and this is now my club. The problem is we can analyse what I said and didn't say.

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

Benitez will be looking for his first win as the new Chelsea manager when his side host Fulham in the Premier League on Wednesday.