Benitez came in for criticism after Liverpool's recent FA and Carling Cup defeats to Arsenal but striker Dirk Kuyt was quick to defend his manager.
"If you lose 6-3 at Liverpool, you know there is going to be more pressure on the club. As a player, you think there is only one thing to do, and that's win the next game.
"Rafa is a top coach who is particularly strong tactically. His critics talk a lot about the changing of the team, but in England it's like nowhere else when you have to play 65 games a year.
"You saw against Watford how good he is with the tactics to use three up front for the first time."
