After leading his Liverpool side to a vital victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, Rafael Benitez put an end to rumors that he would quit the club because of contractual issues.

And Javier Mascherano could hardly be happier.

I am delighted [Benitez] has said he is staying. I havent spoken to him about his situation but Liverpool are doing a great job in the Champions League and Premier League and he is the main reason for that, he said in The Sun.

We are a top side and Rafa has got us playing at this level. We have shown it against Barcelona, Inter Milan last season and now Real Madrid.

We know we are a team that works really hard and the manager has to take credit for that. Every single player gives 100 per cent for him.

Mascherano at arrived at Liverpool in the winter of 2007 after a baffling stint at West Ham United, with whom he made just three Premier League stars.

Since then the Argentine international has established himself as one of Europe's best holding midfielders, and he owes it all to Benitez.

The 24-year-old continued, It is hard to explain exactly how much he means and how much he has done for me.

"When I came to Liverpool I didnt have any confidence left, as I hadnt been playing at all for West Ham. But now I find I am always calm when I am playing because he has put such trust in me. All I can say to Rafa is Thank you.

He has taken me from the lowest point in my career to this. Now everything I do is not only for the team but for Rafa too.