Liverpool boss Benitez hits back at critics

Rafael Benitez insists he won’t let high-profile critics of his reign distract him from the task of getting Liverpool back on track.

Benitez’s side have won just three of their last 14 matches, a woeful run that has seen the Reds crash out of the Champions League and slip to seventh in the Premier League.

Liverpool’s hopes of winning the English title for the first time since 1990 look all but over as they lie 12 points behind leaders Chelsea and even the club’s star striker Fernando Torres has conceded that they have no chance of reaching top spot.

Former Anfield manager Graeme Souness and Jurgen Klinsmann, the former Germany and Bayern Munich boss linked with Benitez’s job two years ago, added to the pressure on the Spaniard with fiercely critical comments during a television discussion after Liverpool’s midweek defeat against Fiorentina.

Klinsmann said Liverpool lacked quality and consistency, while Souness claimed the club was on the verge of a meltdown.

But Benitez has no intention of taking any notice of the jibes.

“I switch off the volume of the television,” Benitez said on Friday. “I think they both have a fantastic record as a manager so the fans they know really well what they say.

“The club we have to win, we have a responsibility, we have to concentrate on our job and that’s it. If someone talks too much then that’s their problem but the fans know the records they have both as a manager is fantastic.”

Benitez is adamant Liverpool will shake off their current slump in time to seal a top four finish in the Premier League.

He knows it is essential that Liverpool at least secure a lucrative place in the Champions League for next year and they can take a significant step towards that goal with victory over Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday.

Finally having Torres, Steven Gerrard and pre-season signing Alberto Aquilani all fit at the same time is a massive boost.

“We are better than we look, now we have three quality players all available and all fit. Crucially we now have Torres and Gerrard fit. When they played together last season, we finished second. Aquilani is ready too,” Benitez said.

“Now let’s see whether we can improve our position and get into the top four.

“We will be there. Arsenal will do that too. We can improve, we can be in the top four and we can win a trophy. It is only what you would expect from a top side.

“We have had a bad spell but we are still very close to the top four. And our top players are available.

“We must start again, maybe it will be too late (in the league), you never know.”

Benitez conceded that Liverpool’s current woes could have damaging affect on the club’s morale, but he is determined to stay positive

“Always I have to think of the positives. We cannot change the Champions League, but we can improve everywhere else,” he said.

“But if I am negative that can spread to the players and the fans. It is my responsibility to avoid that, part of the job is to keep everyone positive.

“We are not happy with what has happened in Europe, but we have to find positive ways to approach things.

“We have a tough spell now before the Europa League starts again in February. There are a lot of games before then, and it is a crucial period in the English league.

“Sometimes teams have bad moments, that is the same with every club. To change that you have to work hard and do things better.”