Reina has presented Rafa with some off the field problems this week

"Look, I have confidence in my squad and in my players," he said, the pace of his delivery almost reflecting exasperation.

"We have enough quality to win home and away. If we could do that last season, we can do it this season. We need to improve - all of us, the staff, the players, everybody - but I am sure we will."

As questions were fired still at Gerrard's positioning the Spaniard was keen to deflect the attention away:

"We create a lot of chances and are not taking them, and we're also making mistakes in defence."

Benitez pointed out that Liverpool do have the quality and that application of effort is more likely to blame.

"The first year I was here we played really well at home and had problems away," he said. "The second year we broke a lot of records, with 11 and 12 wins in a row, 33 clean sheets, 82 points. Think about it. Our problems now are not just down to tactics or players. The quality is there."

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