And he also received some better injury news ahead of Sunday's vital home league clash against Manchester United with England defender Glen Johnson confident he will be fit to play.

Captain Steven Gerrard, who suffered a recurrence of his groin injury just 25 minutes into Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Lyon, and striker Fernando Torres, who missed the match with a groin problem, both underwent intensive treatment today.

That will continue right up until Sunday's showdown with the champions, with Torres the more likely to be fit.

Gerrard's problems are believed to be a more serious concern for Benitez, who has suffered a barrage of criticism after the club's worst run of defeats in 22 years.

But it looks like he will have Johnson back on Sunday.

The full-back said: "The injury is a lot better, I will be all right for Sunday.

"We did not test it today, just soft tissue work and massage, but it seems a lot freer than it did on Tuesday.

"I think Fernando might be all right for Sunday but I am not too sure about Stevie."

Benitez added: "Steven is suffering from the same injury he has had before and Fernando will be working hard with the physios."

Suggestions that Benitez could be sacked are wide of the mark. He signed a new four-year contract in March and has made a string of key appointments on the coaching and academy staff since then.

He has also been mindful of the rift between co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Hicks has been a strong supporter of the manager while Gillett has criticised Benitez's spending this season.

But both would have to agree on any move to axe Benitez, which is highly unlikely in the current climate.

Benitez has also received support from former Liverpool boss Roy Evans, who said: "The results have put a lot of pressure on.

"But they are still in the Champions League and can still get second place (in the group), but there has to be an improvement, that's for sure.

"Rafa has always been tactically very strong in Europe, but when you lose your best players, like Gerrard, Torres and Johnson, that is a real problem.

"Without them Liverpool struggle to compete, with them they are a good bet to recover their position in the group.

"You cannot always blame the manager, players have to improve. They have had four games without a win and people are starting to get on his back, manager's do take responsibility but sometimes it is the players who have to look at themselves.

"They are playing for Liverpool and they are not at their best. It is not just about the manager, it is about the players improving and the fans getting behind the man in charge."

Evans added: "A good result will change everything. A win against Manchester United could be the victory that gives Liverpool their confidence back.

"Liverpool are not at their best. But a win against United could kick start their season.

"Rafa will still be there next season. He has had a good five years and started off with a bang when he won the Champions League.

"But when things do start to go wrong and people get on your back, it gets hard.

"But Liverpool fans are renowned for their knowledge of the game and they will get behind Rafa and the club and hopefully they will move on to better things."

German midfielder Dietmar Hamann, who played in the victory over AC Milan in the Champions League final in 2005, said: "Last season the players maintained their form and they did not have too many injuries.

"But at the moment they do not have that strength in depth to replace and change things.

"Rafa is a shrewd man but people have not been playing as well as last season.

"He always used to find a way out of situations, Liverpool always overcame problems.

"Now they do not know where the next win is coming from. But Rafa is the right man, he knows what is required. The only way out of this is to win games and get confidence back.

"Against United it will be tough, but they have shown they have the ability to compete with the top teams and the squad is not much different.

"Everyone has to stick together and work hard on the training pitch, they need a win from somewhere.

"The title is still possible. It is easy to write them off, people always see things in the worst perspective, but every team goes through a bad run.

"If they go out of the Champions League it will be a disaster, the players need that incentive and the club needs the money.

"Let's wait and see how they respond. The fans will be right behind them on Sunday and hopefully they will get the win that will turn their season around."