Masch backing for Benitez

21 October 2009 09:01
Liverpool star Javier Mascherano insists under-fire Reds boss Rafa Benitez has the backing of all the players at Anfield. Benitez's position at Liverpool has come under fresh scrutiny after Tuesday's damaging home defeat to Lyon in the UEFA Champions League. The defeat was Liverpool's fourth in consecutive games in all competitions leaving them facing an uphill battle to qualify for the next stage in Europe's premier competition. The Reds already see themselves off the pace in the Premier League and they welcome Manchester United to Anfield knowing defeat to their arch-rivals could end their championship dreams in October. Mascherano says the players must take responsibility for Liverpool's poor form and he claims the whole squad remain behind Benitez. "The players play on the pitch, the manager can't talk to us, can't say how to play," Mascherano told Sky Sports News. "We take the responsibility and we have to work on the pitch. "I think it [the tactics] is working. That is not the problem, the problem is we are not playing as best we can. "We have to try to win on Sunday and try to continue winning. "We believe in all the squad and all the staff. "Last season we were doing a very good season so we have to maybe remember that and try to win on Sunday."

Source: SKY_Sports