Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes the club are moving in the right direction under his guidance.
Ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg clash with Arsenal, Benitez's future at Anfield has again come under the microscope with Europe's premier competition being Liverpool's only chance of silverware this season.
Benitez's future at Anfield has been the subject of speculation for some time after a much-publicised bust-up with the club's American owners last year.
Despite another disappointing Premier League campaign, Benitez feels Liverpool are progressing under him as they look to reach their third Champions League semi-final in four seasons.
"Really, when you are in this position, it means that something is good," Benitez told The Times. "It doesn't depend on one game - whether you are doing things good or bad. We know because we are here, we are not bad.
"We know we need to be more consistent in the Premier League, but the team now is fit. I am not the kind of manager who will change my opinion for one game.
"As a manager you must be consistent. I think we are going in the right direction, so one game will not change my idea."
Benitez also played down suggestions that the game against Arsenal could decide his future at the club.
"It's not easy to talk about the Champions League and what that means in terms of money for the big picture," added Benitez.
"But at least the professionals will need to know it's not one game that determines the idea and the future.
"We want to win, but not because we need to prove we are doing the right thing. It's clear we are moving in the right direction: the reserve team is winning the league, we have a lot of good young players coming in and, with players like Ryan Babel, Lucas Leiva, [Javier] Mascherano, [Daniel] Agger and [Martin] Skrtel, that is clear.
"If you win, everyone will say: 'Oh, fantastic, this is the right way' and if you lose they will say: 'It's not the right way', but I think everyone knows we are going in the right direction."
Ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg clash with Arsenal, Benitez's future at Anfield has again come under the microscope with Europe's premier competition being Liverpool's only chance of silverware this season.
Benitez's future at Anfield has been the subject of speculation for some time after a much-publicised bust-up with the club's American owners last year.
Despite another disappointing Premier League campaign, Benitez feels Liverpool are progressing under him as they look to reach their third Champions League semi-final in four seasons.
"Really, when you are in this position, it means that something is good," Benitez told The Times. "It doesn't depend on one game - whether you are doing things good or bad. We know because we are here, we are not bad.
"We know we need to be more consistent in the Premier League, but the team now is fit. I am not the kind of manager who will change my opinion for one game.
"As a manager you must be consistent. I think we are going in the right direction, so one game will not change my idea."
Benitez also played down suggestions that the game against Arsenal could decide his future at the club.
"It's not easy to talk about the Champions League and what that means in terms of money for the big picture," added Benitez.
"But at least the professionals will need to know it's not one game that determines the idea and the future.
"We want to win, but not because we need to prove we are doing the right thing. It's clear we are moving in the right direction: the reserve team is winning the league, we have a lot of good young players coming in and, with players like Ryan Babel, Lucas Leiva, [Javier] Mascherano, [Daniel] Agger and [Martin] Skrtel, that is clear.
"If you win, everyone will say: 'Oh, fantastic, this is the right way' and if you lose they will say: 'It's not the right way', but I think everyone knows we are going in the right direction."
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