Making a stand: Rafa Benitez was defiant in defeat
Rafa Benitez was reeling from Liverpool's worst
run of results in 22 years and another injury setback for Steven
Gerrard after a Champions League calamity at Anfield.
Liverpool are facing elimination at the group stage after an
injury-time winner from Lyon substitute Cesar Delgado left them
floundering behind the French side and Fiorentina.
Arsenal also conceded a goal in added time as they drew 1-1 with
AZ Alkmaar in Holland.
Disaster: Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has to go off
injured
Benitez's gamble over Gerrard's fitness backfired and he
was booed by Liverpool fans after substituting in-form Yossi
Benayoun, who put Liverpool ahead in the 2-1
defeat.
Liverpool have now lost four games in a row for the first time
since 1987 and defeat against Manchester United on Sunday would further
inflame the supporters' anger.
But Benitez adopted a defiant stance as he brushed aside
suggestions the pressure might be mounting and said: 'My appetite
for the job is as strong as ever.'
Gerrard had been declared ready to return 24 hours earlier after
missing Saturday's defeat at Sunderland with a groin strain, but he cut
a sorry figure as he made his way off, head bowed, after barely 25
minutes.
It was clear the England midfielder's troublesome groin was
restricting his movement once more and a packed Anfield was reduced
to stunned silence as he gave way to Fabio Aurelio.
Benitez faces an anxious wait while Gerrard's bleak prospects of
facing United on Sunday are assessed but he had other things on his
mind as he reflected on a defeat that leaves them having to win all
three remaining Group E games to be sure of going through.
He said: 'I don't think it was a risk with Gerrard because he
wanted to play and the doctor gave him the all-clear. He had been
training for two days but sometimes luck can go against you. He
just felt something and knew he had to come off. We will know more
tomorrow about Stevie and Glen Johnson, who injured a groin in
training.
'There have just been too many problems, before the game and
during it, and I am really disappointed with the outcome.
'It was a difficult game with all our problems, and we had done
well to be leading at the break. Then we had two or three chances
soon after the interval.
'Had we scored, it would have changed everything. But we
have to lift ourselves for the United game on Sunday, we have to
push on.
'Who will lift me? My staff will help me and I am sure the
players will be there for me as well, as will everyone else who
wants to see Liverpool win. I know the fans did not want to see
Yossi go off, but I knew he was tired and that we needed fresh
legs. I can understand it, though. They like him and wanted him on
the pitch.
'All I am concerned about is preparing for the next game and I
will start that as soon as I finish this press conference.'
Liverpool have been written off by many in the Premier League
title chase and are now in dire straits in Europe, six points
behind Lyon and three behind Fiorentina, who beat Debrecen 4-3 in
Hungary.
Brave face: Carragher believes a win over United on Sunday
will raise morale
Jamie Carragher put on a brave face and claimed Sunday's
Anfield showdown with United could be the perfect opportunity for
lifting morale.
'It's a massive disappointment, losing like that, a bad result
which leaves us a lot to do,' he said.
'We're going through a tough patch but we've had those before,
and I am sure we will come through this one.
'We have great fight and character. We had a lot of young lads
tonight and if we could have hung on for a draw, it would have been
a good result.
'It's always a great game against United. They are a top side,
and that could be just the game we need.'
