A defiant Rafael Benitez vowed to fight on as Liverpool manager as their dismal season continues to hit new lows. The Reds crashed out of the FA Cup in a third-round replay at home to Championship side Reading on Wednesday to increase even more pressure on the Spaniard.
"We are not playing well and everyone here feels sorry for our fans," said Benitez, who insists he is focusing all his efforts on Saturday's must-win match at Stoke.
"This is a bad moment, we are not doing well during the season and we know have to improve and we have the belief we can do it.
"How can we improve? Winning on the pitch. How can we be sure we win on the pitch? By training well.
"If I am worried about my position or the future of the club at this moment I will lose my focus.
"Stoke is the most important game now and we have to prepare properly.
"I cannot be worried about the other things. My future is Stoke now."
Benitez last season signed a new long-term deal worth anything between £3million and £4million a year.
"It is true I like to do my best every time. If I decided to stay here and signed a five-year contract it is because I wanted to fight," he added.
"Things are not going well, we know, but if I waste my time talking about all these things (speculation about his future) all the time I will lose my focus and it will be worse and worse.
"I don't need any assurances of anything. I promise you I am preparing for the next game and, in football, things can change the next week.
"I didn't read the press, I didn't watch the TV or listen to the radio I was just trying to prepare for the [Stoke] game," he said.
"The only way to improve and help my team is to prepare for the game properly."
