Reds co-owner Tom Hicks raised further doubts over Benitez's long-term future at Anfield by revealing that he and George Gillett had held talks with Jurgen Klinsmann about possibly replacing the Spaniard.

Furthermore, Liverpool's recent form has done little to ease the pressure on Benitez as they have picked up just two wins in their previous seven Premier League fixtures.

"I know you might ask. I will not say anything but I have a lot of confidence that I will be sitting in this chair in a year's time," he said in the Daily Star Sunday.

"I have two-and-a-half years of my contract [left].

"I'm really pleased to be here and I have a lot of confidence I will be here in the future.

"My relationship with the players is really good. A lot of them have asked 'What's going on?' My Answer to them is to keep going."