Rafael Benitez's position as Liverpool manager will be reviewed at the end of the season, according to reports.
Liverpool suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of Barnsley in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, leaving the European Cup as the only competition the club could realistically hope to win this season.
Benitez clashed with club owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks over transfer policy last year and Hicks later admitted he held talks with the former Germany manager Jurgen Klinsmann about taking over if Benitez left suddenly.
But they cleared the air at a meeting in December and Benitez was able to sign Martin Skrtel during the transfer window.
After losing to Barnsley, Benitez said: "We cannot change this result, but we must look now at the Champions League and try to finish our chances next time.
"We must think of Europe, we still have fourth place in the league to go for, that is what is coming next."
Liverpool face Inter Milan in the first leg of their Champions League second round tie at Anfield on Tuesday and they meet Middlesbrough in the Premier League on Saturday.
They are currently three points behind local rivals Everton, who are fourth in the Premier League, but Liverpool have a game in hand.
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said: "I wouldn't call this just a bad spell. It's been a lot longer than that. We realise we are not playing well enough. It's not a matter of putting your finger on one reason.
"It's simply because we have not been good enough. We've still got the Champions League to play for and we have to fight for that fourth place, so every league game is going to be important. We have to make sure we are in the Champions League next season."
Liverpool suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of Barnsley in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, leaving the European Cup as the only competition the club could realistically hope to win this season.
Benitez clashed with club owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks over transfer policy last year and Hicks later admitted he held talks with the former Germany manager Jurgen Klinsmann about taking over if Benitez left suddenly.
But they cleared the air at a meeting in December and Benitez was able to sign Martin Skrtel during the transfer window.
After losing to Barnsley, Benitez said: "We cannot change this result, but we must look now at the Champions League and try to finish our chances next time.
"We must think of Europe, we still have fourth place in the league to go for, that is what is coming next."
Liverpool face Inter Milan in the first leg of their Champions League second round tie at Anfield on Tuesday and they meet Middlesbrough in the Premier League on Saturday.
They are currently three points behind local rivals Everton, who are fourth in the Premier League, but Liverpool have a game in hand.
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said: "I wouldn't call this just a bad spell. It's been a lot longer than that. We realise we are not playing well enough. It's not a matter of putting your finger on one reason.
"It's simply because we have not been good enough. We've still got the Champions League to play for and we have to fight for that fourth place, so every league game is going to be important. We have to make sure we are in the Champions League next season."
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