Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has told critics to lay-off manager Rafa Benitez.

The Argentine is confident Liverpool can turn the corner and he has again called for the critics to stop singling out Benitez.

"It's easier for them to criticise one manager than 20 players," he told Liverpool's website. "When the team is not playing well, the press criticises the manager and not the players, but we don't have to pay too much attention.

"We have to work, continue training hard and show all our things on the pitch.

"You have to realise that when we are playing like this, people will criticise Rafa, but we are a top side. We need to think about football and try not to worry too much.

"The mentality among all of us is really good and we want to take Liverpool to the place it deserves to be."