Rafa Benitez has been given the dreaded vote of confidence by Liverpool co-owner George Gillett, who remains convinced the Spaniard is the right man to turn fortunes around at Anfield.

Benitez has come under fire following the Reds' 2-1 defeat to Lyon in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening, leaves their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

However, that only tells half the story as the defeat condemned Liverpool to their fourth successive defeat in all competitions - their worst run since 1987.

Benitez...led Liverpool to fourth successive defeats
And if that wasn't bad enough, they welcome Premier League champions, arch rivals and current table toppers Manchester United to Anfield on Sunday in a must win game or they can wave 'adios' to the title for another season.

The predicament has led to calls from certain sections of the Liverpool support for Benitez to be relieved of his duties and a new man put in charge of stabilising the ship, with 'King Kenny' Dalglish the bookmakers favourite.

Gillett, though, has no plans to take such drastic action and sack the former Valencia boss, claiming Benitez is "as good as there is in the business" and is adamant he has the full backing of the board.

"We have just entered into a long-term agreement with Rafa," he said, recalling the improved deal Benitez signed in March to keep him on Merseyside until 2014.

"Our family is extraordinarily pleased with him, we believe he is absolutely as good as there is in the business.

"The run of results disappoints everybody. Certainly, it disappoints the fans and it disappoints Rafa.

"I have seen his television interview and I know he is disappointed. We are all disappointed, but we are in this together."