Apparently he's quoted in the Echo today as praising the taxi drivers for being very clued up about the footy. Not seen the relevant bit 'online' yet. The icliverpool site as a Chris Bascombe article but not the whole piece...
Fans driving Benitez on Jan 28 2005
Exclusive By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
NEWSPAPERS? Phone-in shows? Ex-players? Rafa Benitez has swiftly discovered a true barometer of opinion on Merseyside, there is only one reliable source.
"Taxi drivers know best," said the Liverpool manager, reflecting on his first 'rollercoaster' week in the Anfield hotseat.
"One of my staff told me he'd taken three taxi rides during the last few days, and the driver of each told him the same thing. He said the fans know the new manager needs time and they have every confidence the future will be better."
Such reassurance may have been needed much earlier in Benitez's reign than he thought.
Defeats to Burnley and Southampton provoked the Rafalution's first wave of hysteria, with progress into the League Cup Final restoring calm.
Far from being surprised by the erratic responses within a hectic fortnight, Benitez anticipated it.
"I spoke with a friend of mine in Spain today. He said 'first you were having a bad week, now you've had a good week'," said Benitez.
"In football, it's always the same. A lot of people have short memories. When we defeated Arsenal and Olympiakos, everyone was talking about Liverpool playing their best football for a long time.
"After last weekend, it was different. This is a normal reaction.
"The supporters understand we need to be compared to the first year of other managers, not the last year when they have completed a long period of work.
"I'm sure if you look at our record in our first season, it compares favourably even with the first six months of some of the most successful managers in this country. To reach a League Cup final immediately is a good start."
With Liverpool facing current darlings of the chattering classes, Chelsea, next month, Benitez knows not everyone will readily highlight this point.
The contrasting coverage of both club's passage to Wales was noted by the Liverpool boss.
His so-called 'lucky' side progressed with the aid of 'one man', while a perfect Chelsea team swept aside all before them, somehow managing to avoid tripping over Jose Mourinho's halo en route.
It's all so familiar to him. "The big newspapers in Spain are in Madrid and Barcelona, so the other clubs rely on their local newspapers to give them support. It's the same here," said Benitez.
"There are more London newspapers than Liverpool ones, so I prefer to read the ECHO, which is supportive. It's a pity they can't read it in London.
"Just like in Valencia, I know there are always going to be some journalists who don't like my team. We have a saying in Spain which is the same in England: 'Never let the truth get in the way of a good story'. The truth of our situation was not reflected in many of the things I have heard this week.
"Of course I like to hear what people have to say and want to know what they think, but I won't waste my time listening to what everyone says or reading what everyone writes.
"I'm only interested in listening to the people who want the best for Liverpool Football Club, no-one else.
"They are always with us. It is they who motivate us. To me, the most important thing is my players and the supporters.
"Those who criticise us without a proper argument, I won't listen to. I will just concentrate on my job. In the end, if we win, those people who criticise will change their minds and those who've always been with us will be happiest."
So what of the prospect of facing Chelsea in Cardiff? Benitez and Mourinho took over their respective clubs at the same time.
With the Portuguese man's honeymoon threatening to last longer than a golden wedding, how sweet would it be for the Liverpool man to get his hands on silverware before his mega-rich rival?
"Chelsea have a lot of money and you can't compare their progress to us," says Benitez.
"I said before their game with Manchester I had no preference for one team over another.
"Now we have Chelsea and we can start to prepare. We know we are playing a very good team.
"It will be difficult for us, but I'm sure we will make it difficult for them too.
"It's good we have a lot of time before the game. I've never been to the Millennium Stadium before, but I've been told it's fantastic and the atmosphere in the ground is also perfect. I'm looking forward to it."
Benitez says it will make him proud to lead a Liverpool side out at Cardiff so soon into his reign.
"I'm very proud each day I'm Liverpool manager, whether I'm leading the team, signing autographs or meeting the supporters," he said.
"I know to be manager of Liverpool Football Club is very important. There are a lot of people who respect us. It is a privilege for me to be here."
Liverpool are in a final, his injury hit-squad has much needed rest this weekend (even if they'd rather have a game) and the smile is back on the faces of the staff at Melwood.
Apart from that, if a friendly Spanish bloke gets into their cab, taxi drivers across the city know what to say to be assured of a healthy tip.
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/
