Source: SKY_Sports
Time to back Benitez
Ian Rush says it would be a mistake for Liverpool to get rid of Rafael Benitez at this stage of the season.
The pressure is mounting on the Spaniard following a run of four straight defeats, which has seen Liverpool struggling to keep up with their rivals in the title race and at risk of going out of the Champions League in the group stage.
Tuesday night's defeat at home to Lyon was hardly the ideal preparation for Sunday's crunch showdown with Manchester United at Anfield, but former Reds striker Rush says Benitez's position should not be in question.
And he urged the supporters to get behind the manager - and the team - on Sunday.
"The time is not right now," Rush told Sky Sports News.
"You need to get behind the manager - and the players as well. I'm sure the supporters will do on Sunday.
"It's up to the players to respond. The manager can only pick a team and it's up to the players to respond on the pitch against Manchester United.
"There will be a good atmosphere against Manchester United. Yeah, okay we lost against Lyon so maybe the atmosphere will not be quite what was expected, but we can still qualify for the second phase of the Champions League.
"We've got to get behind everyone. For me that's what makes Liverpool such a special club."
Following the Lyon clash, Benitez spoke of the club's injury problems, insisting it was worse than at any other stage in his five years in charge.
Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson both missed the Lyon game, while captain Steven Gerrard hobbled off after 20 minutes and all three are now doubts for Sunday's match.
Rush insists Liverpool's squad players should be able to fill in for the star names, but says he has been disappointed by their performances of late.
"The players that come in have got to do the job, it's as simple as that," he said.
"They've got to make the manager's job hard to pick the next team.
"At the moment, when Torres, Gerrard and Johnson are fit they're straight in. That's because maybe the players that have come in haven't quite done the job to win games.
"It would be lovely for Liverpool to have beaten Lyon, then come the game against Manchester United, the manager could say 'What team do I pick? Everyone's playing well.'
At the moment I think the team's picking itself.
