Liverpool are facing the prospect of their worst run of results
since the Bill Shankly era started 50 years ago - but under-fire boss
Rafael Benitez has received backing from an Anfield legend.
Benitez is battling to overcome a horror injury list ahead of the make-or-break Champions League showdown in Lyon on Wednesday.
A
loss there would mean seven defeats in eight games after Saturday’s 3-1
setback at Fulham, when star striker Fernando Torres - himself
struggling for fitness - was substituted at 1-1.
The Anfield
club have never experienced such a run since Shankly was appointed, the
50-year anniversary of the charismatic Scot’s arrival in 1959 being
December 1.
Former Anfield hero David Fairclough has supported
Benitez, and said: “The club is moving in a certain direction, and this
season it has been totally in Benitez’s hands.
“So to sack the manager, or even think of sacking the manager, is only going to throw Liverpool backwards.
“We are going to have to stick with him and hope that we turn things around.”
He added: “I know some fans who were disappointed when Rafa took off Torres at Fulham, but the lad clearly wasn’t fully fit.
“Liverpool
have been hit by injuries and illness, and clearly had there been any
more injuries or problems late on in the game, it would not have been
helpful for the team plan for Wednesday night.
“But I can see
Liverpool getting the result they need in Lyon. When you are talking
about a dozen or more players not being available, I believe things
will look a lot different come kick-off in Lyon.
“That situation will be turned around a bit, people will be fit by them, I’m sure.
“They
go there knowing exactly what they have to do, and I believe Liverpool
can win in Lyon. They have had situations like this before, and have
produced the right results so they are more than capable of doing it
again.”
Benitez is facing a nightmare injury list which, apart
from Torres and Steven Gerrard (both groin), sees Glen Johnson, Fabio
Aurelio (both calf), Daniel Agger (back), Martin Kelly (ankle), Albert
Riera (hamstring) and Andrea Dossena (groin) all struggling.
Additionally, Philipp Degen - red-carded at Fulham - was not named in the club’s Champions League squad.
Liverpool
also have four players - Alberto Aquilani, Martin Skrtel, David Ngog
and Diego Cavalieri - suffering from a virus, although Benitez says:
“It is not swine flu, we haven’t got that here.”
Benitez’s own tenure as manager is now under close scrutiny inside and outside the club.
Source: Liverpool_Echo