FERNANDO TORRES has given his full backing to beleaguered Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as he called for a show of unity from everyone at the club.
Benitez has come under increasing pressure following a disappointing season that reached a new low in midweek with elimination from the Champions League before the group stage has even finished.
Liverpool’s managing director Christian Purslow was swift to dismiss the notion the Spaniard’s job was in danger despite the club struggling to meet expectations in the Premier League, standing five points off a top four place.
And now Torres, who is hopeful of returning to fitness in time for Sunday’s Merseyside derby at Everton, reckons Liverpool should “stick together” and get behind Benitez.
“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 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.”
Of Liverpool’s Champions League exit, Torres added: “Nobody expected it 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.”
Meanwhile, Benitez insists his side are “better than their results” and claims he does not feel any added pressure following their Champions League exit.
He said: “We have not been able to go through to the last 16 of the Champions League, so we must make sure we double our efforts in the league and always do our very best in future matches.
“Then the confidence of the team will be much better, we will be able to approach league matches in a better frame of mind.”
Chief executive Christian Purslow again backed Benitez to improve the club’s fortunes this week – they have won just two of their last 11 games to fall well behind in the Premier League title race – and the former Valencia chief is adamant he does not fear the sack.
He added: “I do not feel under any greater pressure, Liverpool are under pressure in every single game, anyway, whatever the competition. This is nothing new for me.
“My aim is just to help the players, working and preparing the team.
“The players know we are better than our results suggest, they can see that we could have won in every game even if not playing well.
“We have played better than many of our opponents in this run, we have had plenty of opportunities to score. They know the situation.
“We have ideas, we have solutions to problems, and plans for matches. The players know we have been a lot better than people are saying.”
He continued: “We need a winning mentality to return, but we have not planned any differently for matches, just the same organisation.
“Things are still positive, we have players coming back from injuries. We have been positive in recent league games against Birmingham and Manchester City, things have been improving.”
Benitez’s hand has been severely weakened by injuries to star duo Torres and Steven Gerrard as well as a number of other first XI regulars.
Gerrard is now back, along with Glen Johnson, Fabio Aurelio and Yossi Benayoun, but Torres is unlikely to be ready for the short trip across Stanley Park.
“Steven Gerrard has started to play 90 minutes again, so there are a lot of things that give us confidence that we are improving,” said Benitez.
“Some players are fitter now. So we can manage the team and matches in a different way.
“If you do not have a strong bench, it is difficult to change games.
“Now with more options it can be easier for us in such circumstances.”
Meanwhile, Dean Bouzanis yesterday joined Accrington Stanley on loan until the New Year.
The 19-year-old goalkeeper has agreed a deal that will run until January 2. Bouzanis arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2007 from the New South Wales Institute of Sport and has figured for John McMahon’s reserves this season.
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