Benitez sensationally refused to commit his future to Liverpool, and his little smile on SKY Sports said more than words in an extraordinary Melwood press conference.
The Reds boss was uncomfortable from the start and even allowed himself to be linked with the England manager's job, which Sam Allardyce has distanced himself.
Scousers Ruffled As Benitez Set To Walk!
The usually affable Benitez was clearly in a bad mood and chose his words carefully throughout the ten minute long press conference.
When asked about England's performance against Croatia, he responded: "I prefer to concentrate on training and coaching my team."
He delivered the very same answer on at least ten more occasions.
One of the few questions Benitez was prepared to answer concerned the national team manager's job.
Asked if he would consider taking over from Steve McClaren if the job was offered to him, he said: "You never know what might happen, maybe."
Benitez is not happy with the backing, or a perceived lack of it, he is receiving from the club's American owners.
But by refusing to commit his future to the club and allowing himself to be linked with another job it appears he has basically delivered a "Back me or sack me" ultimatum to Tom Hicks and George Gillett.