Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has vowed to remain focused on his work following the death of his father this week.
Benitez’s father Francisco died earlier this week and Benitez was undecided whether to return to Spain or remain in Japan with Liverpool ahead of their Club World Championship final meeting with Sao Paulo.
“I was in Madrid a couple of times because my father has been ill for the last few months,” he told the club’s website.
“I was talking to my mother, sister and brother when my father died. We tried to go there but in Spain you do not have the time. They couldn’t delay the funeral.
“I couldn’t go so I decided to stay here. I will go and see my mother next week so for me it is perhaps better to concentrate on working.
“You can be very upset but if you are working sometimes you can just think about your work. My mother is there though and I will try to be with her as soon as possible.
“The only thing I can do now is try to do my best for my team and think about my father.”
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