Benitez defiant despite Pompey defeat

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insisted he does not fear the sack despite seeing his team suffer their seventh Premier League defeat of an increasingly poor season at bottom club Portsmouth.

Midfielder Javier Mascherano was sent-off for the third time in his Liverpool career as the visitors’ fading title hopes were all but extinguished in a 2-0 loss at Fratton Park.

The sorry Reds have now won just four of their last 12 league games and are struggling even to secure a top four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League.

When asked if he was worried for his job, Benitez replied: “I am only worried about the next game (against Wolves).

“I can only prepare for the next match. If we can win hopefully it will be easier to prepare for the next ones,” the Spaniard added.

“We have to change our targets and can only think about one game at a time. We have to stick together and try to pick up three points and see what happens.”

Liverpool were already trailing to Nadir Belhadj’s first goal since December 26 last year when Mascherano was dismissed on the stroke of half-time.

The Argentina midfielder was shown a straight red card by referee Lee Mason as punishment for a reckless lunge on Portsmouth defender Tal Ben Haim on the half-way line.

Benitez was clearly angered by the decision and reserved some sarcastic comments for Mason at his post-match news conference.

“We were the better team in the first half and the sending-off changed the game,” he said.

“I have seen a replay and for me it was not a sending-off but the referee was perfect. He did not make any mistakes. He was correct to not give fouls against Fernando Torres. He was perfect.”

Benitez added: “We had plenty of possession and were in control but it is difficult playing with ten men away from home when you are 1-0 behind.

“We had to keep trying to go forward but we left some spaces and there was always a danger we would concede another goal.”

Portsmouth had taken just 11 points from 17 games prior to his match and the south coast club remain beset by financial problems.

Liverpool had the better of the opening exchanges, with stars Steven Gerrard and Torres posing a constant threat.

Torres came within inches of putting Liverpool in front with a majestic 20-yard curler, which had Portsmouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic beaten before nestling on the roof of the net.

Despite Liverpool having plenty of possession Begovic, deputising for the injured David James, did not have a meaningful save to make before Belhadj opened the scoring in the 33rd minute.

Kevin-Prince Boateng’s driven low shot was palmed away by Pepe Reina but Liverpool failed to clear the rebound and the ball broke kindly for Belhadj, who lashed an unstoppable right foot shot into the roof of the net from an acute angle.

Daniel Agger put a free header wide moments later while Begovic produced a brilliant reaction save to keep out Gerrard’s defected second half shot.

France striker Frederic Piquionne sealed the points eight minutes from time, brilliantly flicking up Boateng’s cross before firing past Reina at the near post.

Victory saw Portsmouth boss Avram Grant maintain his record of never having lost to Liverpool as a manager.

“It is true I have never lost to Benitez and I am pleased to keep that run going,” said former Chelsea manager Grant.

“This is a terrific win for us and hopefully it can kick-start our season.”