Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is adamant that he does not fear for his job, but acknowledges that his side needs to improve ahead of Sunday's clash with Manchester United.
The Reds are in their worst run of form for 22 years following four successive defeats to Fiorentina, Chelsea, Sunderland and Lyon, and their boss has come under severe scrutiny, despite co-owner George Gillett offering a vote of confidence.
United's arrival on Merseyside, which can be seen live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1, has therefore been billed as a must-win fixture for the home side amidst rumours that Benitez could be facing the sack.
Former Germany and Bayern Munich chief Jurgen Klinsmann has long been linked with a role at Anfield, while rumour has also suggested that Kop legend and Liverpool ambassador Kenny Dalglish could make a return to the manager's seat.
But Benitez, who signed a new long-term contract this year, feels safe, telling Sky Sports News: "I am really relaxed in terms of my position because I know how we work on the pitch every day. The players know in the past we were doing really good things.
"We are not changing too much. It is a question of confidence and we have to improve just by winning the first game."
Benitez's side were touted as contenders for silverware both at home and abroad this season, but their recent slump has left UEFA Champions League hopes fading and a defeat to United could see the Red Devils open a 10-point lead.
Optimistic
The Spaniard recognises his troops need to rediscover a winning habit, but he is optimistic that confidence will return when the run of losses is brought to an end with a victory.
"At this moment we know that we have to improve, we have to win. It is a question of time," Benitez added.
"I'm sure that winning the first game, everything will change. This game against United could be the right opportunity for us because it is a massive game against the rivals.
"The fans will be behind the team from the first minute to the last minute so that can change everything.
"(We must) keep working hard and have a little bit of luck on the pitch. The other day, against Lyon, we were winning 1-0 and had two or three chances but could not score the second goal.
"After that we lost in the last minute so sometimes you have to play better, that is clear. We need to still work hard, like the players are doing, and have a little bit of luck."
Ownership
Benitez does not believe off-field wrangles regarding the ownership of the club has had any influence on results, adding when asked about the subject: "Not really.
"If we want to change the situation now, it has to be focused on the football. We cannot be worried about what happens outside the pitch."
The Liverpool boss has also hit back at suggestions from Chelsea captain John Terry that the squad at Anfield does not have the strength in depth to compete with that on offer at Stamford Bridge.
Benitez is to give Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres fitness tests for the United game after the star duo missed recent matches due to injury, and their manager points to the number of players in the treatment room when reflecting on results.
Glen Johnson is set to recover from a groin complaint for the weekend, but Alberto Aquilani, Albert Riera, Martin Kelly and Sotirios Kyrgiakos are out to add to the Reds' problems.
"I am sure that our squad is much better than people think," Benitez said. "Again, if you have three, four, five players, who would normally start, injured, you cannot say that the squad is not good
"I am sure if you took three, four or five players from United, Chelsea or Arsenal, it would be very difficult for them to win games."
The Reds are in their worst run of form for 22 years following four successive defeats to Fiorentina, Chelsea, Sunderland and Lyon, and their boss has come under severe scrutiny, despite co-owner George Gillett offering a vote of confidence.
United's arrival on Merseyside, which can be seen live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1, has therefore been billed as a must-win fixture for the home side amidst rumours that Benitez could be facing the sack.
Former Germany and Bayern Munich chief Jurgen Klinsmann has long been linked with a role at Anfield, while rumour has also suggested that Kop legend and Liverpool ambassador Kenny Dalglish could make a return to the manager's seat.
But Benitez, who signed a new long-term contract this year, feels safe, telling Sky Sports News: "I am really relaxed in terms of my position because I know how we work on the pitch every day. The players know in the past we were doing really good things.
"We are not changing too much. It is a question of confidence and we have to improve just by winning the first game."
Benitez's side were touted as contenders for silverware both at home and abroad this season, but their recent slump has left UEFA Champions League hopes fading and a defeat to United could see the Red Devils open a 10-point lead.
Optimistic
The Spaniard recognises his troops need to rediscover a winning habit, but he is optimistic that confidence will return when the run of losses is brought to an end with a victory.
"At this moment we know that we have to improve, we have to win. It is a question of time," Benitez added.
"I'm sure that winning the first game, everything will change. This game against United could be the right opportunity for us because it is a massive game against the rivals.
"The fans will be behind the team from the first minute to the last minute so that can change everything.
"(We must) keep working hard and have a little bit of luck on the pitch. The other day, against Lyon, we were winning 1-0 and had two or three chances but could not score the second goal.
"After that we lost in the last minute so sometimes you have to play better, that is clear. We need to still work hard, like the players are doing, and have a little bit of luck."
Ownership
Benitez does not believe off-field wrangles regarding the ownership of the club has had any influence on results, adding when asked about the subject: "Not really.
"If we want to change the situation now, it has to be focused on the football. We cannot be worried about what happens outside the pitch."
The Liverpool boss has also hit back at suggestions from Chelsea captain John Terry that the squad at Anfield does not have the strength in depth to compete with that on offer at Stamford Bridge.
Benitez is to give Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres fitness tests for the United game after the star duo missed recent matches due to injury, and their manager points to the number of players in the treatment room when reflecting on results.
Glen Johnson is set to recover from a groin complaint for the weekend, but Alberto Aquilani, Albert Riera, Martin Kelly and Sotirios Kyrgiakos are out to add to the Reds' problems.
"I am sure that our squad is much better than people think," Benitez said. "Again, if you have three, four, five players, who would normally start, injured, you cannot say that the squad is not good
"I am sure if you took three, four or five players from United, Chelsea or Arsenal, it would be very difficult for them to win games."
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