Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez thinks his side are still well capable of beating Manchester United on Sunday and ending their catastrophic run of four consecutive defeats.
The Reds can reduce the gap between themselves and United to four points should they win on Sunday, and Benitez was focusing firmly on the positives ahead of Sunday's game.
"I am sure our squad is much better than people think. If you have three, four or five players who normally start out injured, then you can't talk about the squad not being strong enough," the Spaniard told his pre-match press conference.
"I am sure if you take four or five players from United, Chelsea or Arsenal, it would be very difficult for them to win some games.
"Beating United last season is something positive we can use. Without Gerrard and Torres, the team was really good and the fans enjoyed the day - especially because we were without two very important players.
"So, if we have to do the same in this situation now, we can do it.
"It's the best way - but it's not the only one. We think we can win and we'll talk about four points at the next press conference."
Benitez also claimed to be coping well with the intense pressure and scrutiny under which his own situation has come in recent days.
He added: "I am really relaxed in terms of my position because I know how we are working on the pitch every day. In the past we were doing really good things and we haven't changed too much.
"It's a question of confidence. We know we have to improve but it's about winning the first game now.
"As a manager you know you will have good moments and bad moments. At this moment we know we have to improve, we have to win and it's a question of time - I'm sure once we win the first game everything will change.
"This game against United could be the right opportunity for us because it's a massive game against our rivals and the fans will be behind the team from the first minute until the last. We can change everything.
"We just need to keep working hard and perhaps need a bit of luck on the pitch. The other day against Lyon we were winning 1-0 and then had two or three chances but couldn't score the second goal. Then we lost in the last minute.
"Sometimes you need to play a little bit better, that's clear - but you also need to keep working hard and [get] that little bit of luck."
The Reds can reduce the gap between themselves and United to four points should they win on Sunday, and Benitez was focusing firmly on the positives ahead of Sunday's game.
"I am sure our squad is much better than people think. If you have three, four or five players who normally start out injured, then you can't talk about the squad not being strong enough," the Spaniard told his pre-match press conference.
"I am sure if you take four or five players from United, Chelsea or Arsenal, it would be very difficult for them to win some games.
"Beating United last season is something positive we can use. Without Gerrard and Torres, the team was really good and the fans enjoyed the day - especially because we were without two very important players.
"So, if we have to do the same in this situation now, we can do it.
"It's the best way - but it's not the only one. We think we can win and we'll talk about four points at the next press conference."
Benitez also claimed to be coping well with the intense pressure and scrutiny under which his own situation has come in recent days.
He added: "I am really relaxed in terms of my position because I know how we are working on the pitch every day. In the past we were doing really good things and we haven't changed too much.
"It's a question of confidence. We know we have to improve but it's about winning the first game now.
"As a manager you know you will have good moments and bad moments. At this moment we know we have to improve, we have to win and it's a question of time - I'm sure once we win the first game everything will change.
"This game against United could be the right opportunity for us because it's a massive game against our rivals and the fans will be behind the team from the first minute until the last. We can change everything.
"We just need to keep working hard and perhaps need a bit of luck on the pitch. The other day against Lyon we were winning 1-0 and then had two or three chances but couldn't score the second goal. Then we lost in the last minute.
"Sometimes you need to play a little bit better, that's clear - but you also need to keep working hard and [get] that little bit of luck."
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