(The Independent) Proud reputations, and not merely first place in Group C, appeared to be at stake for the Liverpool boss yesterday as he prepared for the Champions League visit of PSV by launching a staunch defence of his two-year reign at Anfield.

Detractors and a director have found a plentiful supply of ammunition to throw at the Spaniard of late as Liverpool's anticipated challenge for the Premiership title failed to materialise beyond the pre-season supplements and a lament-able away record stretched to a seventh League game without victory at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Yet it was not without foundation that Benitez called for more respect and perspective ahead of tonight's European release against the Dutch league leaders, bristling: 'I'm not happy with the table, but you would think we were having a terrible time.'

Liverpool are, lest we forget, the first English team to qualify for the Champions' League knock-out phase this season, in the Carling Cup quarter-final and separated from third-placed Portsmouth by only five points. "