Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez remains unconcerned by speculation regarding the security of his job.

Ahead of a UEFA Champions League clash with Lyon, the Spaniard has come under intense scrutiny following a run of six defeats in seven games - and if the Reds lose at the Stade de Gerland on Wednesday night, they will be all but out of this season's competition.

During this troubled time Benitez's transfer policy has been questioned, while he has also been criticised for a failure to produce significant homegrown talent since succeeding Gerard Houllier in 2004.

But the former Valencia boss remains in a determined mood as an injury-hit Liverpool prepare for their outing in France, where defeat would leave the Reds almost certainly facing elimination from Europe.

Benitez said: "The players are working very hard, they are positive and determined. They know this result is important for the club, for everyone.

"But our fans have not turned. They are clever people, they know the position the club was in when I arrived and they know what position it is in now, they know this is the only way.

"It is important for everyone to see the bigger picture, I am sure things will change in a few weeks when we have our players fit again. When we have our big players available, everything will change.

"I do not accept that we have not signed good players, some may not have settled as quickly, but we are doing a good job.

"This is not the right time to be discussing our signings. But we do have good players, and we have too many injuries.

"We have signed very good players, we have a good team and a good squad."

He added: "Losing would be bad for us, bad for the club, but we will keep going. But we are not thinking that way, we are only thinking of winning.

"In a few weeks these problems will have gone. Key players will be fit."

Fernando Torres will carry the hopes of Liverpool on his shoulders on Wednesday night, with Benitez praying his gamble to play the injured striker pays off.

Liverpool are without Steven Gerrard, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio, Albert Riera and Glen Johnson but Torres, despite struggling with a hernia problem, will start the match and so too could Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani.

Centre-back Daniel Agger will face a late test on a back injury, and Liverpool could well have teenage full-back Stephen Darby in the side.

Benitez says: "Fernando is improving, we do not want him to have an operation so we are managing his fitness carefully.

"But he is getting better. He had some pain after he played, and scored, against Manchester United. But he was better after the Fulham game at the weekend, although he could still feel something wrong.

"I hope that he will be even better for this match. I said recently that 80 per cent of Fernando can win matches, I hope that is the case again."