Diego Forlan's extra-time strike gave Atletico Madrid
an away-goal triumph as the Reds were denied an all-English
shootout with Fulham in the Europa League final.
Goals from Alberto Aquilani and Yossi Benayoun had put
the Reds in the driving seat - before former Manchester United
striker Forlan pounced.
Kop boss Benitez looked distraught by his team's defeat
and dodged questions about whether he would still be in charge next
season.
He said: "The future is Chelsea at home on Sunday and
after that it is Hull. Those are the games we have to concentrate
on and after that we will see.
"It's true that this game summed up our season when so
many things have gone against us.
"The season was not good enough and after the Hull game
we must make sure we are ready for next season.
"This was an amazing game. We were on top of them for a
long time and it was a pity to concede such a late goal.
"Even when we were leading 2-0 we knew we had to keep
working hard and the players did that.
"It was also a pity their goal did not come from good
counter-attacking but from a lucky rebound with the ball going
against us."
Benitez admitted whoever is in charge at Anfield will
face a major rebuilding task.
He added: "People have been saying we need three, four
or even five new players and I agree.
"But I do not think it will be more of a problem
bringing new players in because we have not made the final.
"Liverpool is a massive club and the name of the club
is there to see."
Forlan, who also scored Atletico's goal in last week's
1-0 first leg win in Madrid, said: "When Benayoun scored, I thought
that was it.
"But we picked ourselves up quickly. We knew we only
had to score one goal and obviously it was a great feeling to get
it. Now we can look forward to playing Fulham."
