Liverpool duo Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina have moved to offer their support to under-fire boss Rafael Benitez.
Benitez's position at Anfield has come under further scrutiny following their elimination from the Champions League in midweek.
Liverpool have won just two of their last 11 competitive matches and go into this weekend's Merseyside derby against Everton needing to get back on track in the Premier League if they are to finish in the top four and clinch a spot in next season's Champions League.
Torres, who is battling to be fit for the showdown as he struggles with a groin problem, believes Benitez is the man to turn things round and has called on everyone at the club to stick together.
"Benitez has shown that he is the right man to take Liverpool forward," Torres said.
"When the club has needed to be strong it always has been. Now is the time for everybody to stick together from the manager right down to the lowliest member of staff because above all else we want to make our wonderful fans happy with our performances and results.
"We must be united to finish as high as possible in the Premier League. I am convinced that we will end up in the top four. We also have high hopes for the FA Cup and the Europa League. At this time, this tournament has become a goal for the club.
"Nobody expected it [to be knocked out] because this team has shown itself over recent seasons to be very reliable.
"This is a competition that we won in 2005 and on another occasion [2007] we got to the final. Since I have been with the club we have got to a semi-final and a quarter-final."
Reina also dismissed suggestions that Benitez has lost the support of the players at Liverpool.
"Benitez has 100 per cent credibility and support among the players," said Reina. "He is a great coach and he knows how to get the best out of his players.
"He has done important things for Liverpool and will continue to do so. When he is under pressure, that's when he brings out the best in himself. He is perfectly capable of turning the situation around at Liverpool.
"The fans know that, for a number of reasons, results are not good now but they will be again. We need a bit of good luck for things to get back to normal: we have had so many players injured - like Torres, Benayoun and Riera."
Reina also pointed to the absence of Torres through injury as a major reason for Liverpool's struggles.
He said: "We all know that Torres at 70 per cent fit is still better than lots of strikers on the planet at 100 per cent.
"It's important for us that he recovers and recovers fully. Liverpool are one team with Torres and another, different team without him.
"It's not that we depend on him but he is very important because he inspires respect in the opposition."
Your Comments
anal_yst
"Shouldn't Dirk Kuyt be included too? He understands Spanish an laughs at Spanish jokes, you know!"
howlong_
"weepyking unlike that other plank I respect you, you know your football and generally have something intelligent to add, while I do agree with your point to a certain degree, you must agree yourself that Liverpool stories get drawn to the nth degree, some of the rubbish that gets published is outrageous but then gets to the point where some thicks (*cough* sparks) have the idea that its true, anyway thats my little rant done and dusted."
stampy_d_monky
"sparks396....i'm not complainin about the article or anything but enjoy the compliment if thats how want to take it. Im going home...over and out"
howlong_
"For the newbie who is very dim:
Btw Triple H might have scored a goal or two in the bundesliga with an average team its how you cop in a pressure situation with a well known club is what defines you.
You seem to enjoy making a total tit out of yourself without any encouragement from anyone, its one of the funniest things around here but you do it on such a regular basis its the norm with all your posts... "
howlong_
"hahaha sparks about to fly much like the little sparks do when you get grumpy, I don't condone violence but the way you clear house is impressive, a few more JMD's tonight?
Back to your unusual post, some of us have been absent (not sure what abscent means and then you continue to slag someones grammar, again you're a peculiar little cretin aren't you?) because absolute fools like you try and act all tough and clever but you're not capable of either, you have no idea about football but I'm sure you enjoy a prawn sandwich or two and your breath smells, go away little boy. "
sparks396
"Stampy. Ha ha thats the biggest compliment I can get. How can people complain about this article when its the players saying these things. If there was no smoke without fire why does Liverpool keep getting them to say things like. "we need a bit of luck" ..." He is a great coach and he knows how to get the best out of his players". That does seem to be the case with the "pony tail" . He was banging them in everywhere until he came to the pool ! Stampy maybe you should take up something your good at like stamp collecting ;)
"
stampy_d_monky
"sparks396..."naff" off would you"
cannonfodder
"faithdevotion - with user name like that your comment is not a supprise and your faith to be commended."
faithdevotion
"Benitez is a dignified man and a fabulous coach. I am 36 and a liverpool fan since 1980. I am very happy that he is in charge of the club i love !"
KevHaz
"I find it hilarious in general, not just because it's Liverpool, that the players come to the defence of their "under pressure" manager. I'm sorry, are you not the underachieving scrotums that have put the poor sod there in the first place? Huge wages, huge profiles and play like a pub team? Surely you should all be holding your hands up saying "Erm actually, we're sh*te! No manager on the planet could get us to play coherently and consistantly" What's the betting when Rafa goes to another club, it has instant success! "
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