Manager Rafael Benitez will continue to shoulder the burden of criticism for his faltering Liverpool team as he has absolute faith in the methods which he expects his players to follow.

Sunday's defeat to Arsenal, having taken a first-half lead, was their sixth of the season and left them five points adrift of the Champions League places.

However, Benitez is prepared to “guarantee” that the club will finish in the top four this season as he believes only minor changes need to be made.

This is undoubtedly the most difficult period of his five-year reign, Liverpool having won the Champions League and FA Cup in his first two seasons.

But the Spaniard insists the critics will not force him to deviate from his beliefs.

“I think it is very important for any manager, but especially here in England, to be strong,” he said.

“You have to show you have an idea, you have your own people that you can talk with and analyse things and say ‘This is the way to do things' and we have to keep going.

“The main thing for me is to come here early in the morning, do my job, go home still working a little bit and try to be ready for the next day.

“That is the way to do things and that is an example for the players — and they are doing the same thing.

“For five years I think we were doing well so we have to keep going in the same way because the club is stronger now in everything: the squad, the value of the club is better than five years ago.

“Yes it is a bad moment but I still think we can improve.

“You cannot be negative. You have to think about the positives. The manager has to be positive and I am positive.”

Liverpool face Wigan at home tonight knowing only a victory — they have won just three of the last 15 matches — will stop the pressure reaching unbearable levels.

Liverpool have won just once at Anfield — admittedly against arch-rivals Manchester United — since September 26.

Benitez knows they have to start stringing results together if they are not to lose further ground on the likes of Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester City who are all currently contenders for Champions League qualification.

But he refuses to look beyond the next match.

“Every game for us is a game we have to win. Sometimes you can, sometimes you can't,” said the Spaniard.

“Everything can be improved and if we make mistakes we keep going.

“There are still 22 games to play so we know we have to change our target.

“Now it is to get three points against Wigan and then start thinking about Portsmouth (at the weekend).

“I have to have confidence in my team and I am sure we can do it because I know we are better than the team you are seeing on the pitch.

“I can guarantee we will finish in the top four.”

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano is likely to be fit to face the Latics at Anfield.

The Argentina captain sustained a thigh problem which forced him off in Sunday's defeat at home to Arsenal but he trained yesterday and is expected to retain his place in the starting line-up.

Right-back Glen Johnson, also substituted against the Gunners, spent yesterday with the physiotherapists and did not train. He is more of a doubt.

Winger Albert Riera still has a hamstring problem so will not be risked while £20million summer signing Alberto Aquilani is likely to find himself on the bench again.

Meanwhile, former Liverpool and England winger Alan A'Court has died at the age of 75, the club have announced.