Benitez fights his corner

Rafa Benitez has hit back at Graeme Souness after the former Liverpool manager said the club is on the verge of "meltdown". The Scot and Jurgen Klinsmann were critical of the Reds after they succumbed to another late goal in the Champions League as they lost 2-1 to Fiorentina and Benitez has also delivered a withering assessment of the German's record.

On Sky Sportson Wednesday, Souness revealed his fear that the club could capitulate should they fail to qualify for next year's European competition. Klinsmann has also been quoted as saying there is not enough skill or pace in Benitez's side to challenge for top honours.

But Benitez, who came close to leaving the club when American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks spoke to Klinsmann about the possibility of becoming manager, is unfazed by their opinions.

"I switch off the volume of Sky," Benitez joked to Sky Sports News, before sarcastically suggesting the pair were obviosuly qualified to pass judgement. "I think they both have a fantastic record as a manager so the fans they know really well what they say.

"The club we have to win, we have a responsibility, we have to concentrate on our job and that's it. If someone talks too much then that's their problem but the fans know the records they have both as a manager is fantastic."

Of Klinsmann, he added: "I think he was an expert in marketing. His management career? Short."

Klinsmann was sacked by Bayern Munich last year and the highlight of his managerial career has been guiding Germany to the World Cup semi-finals. Souness endured a torrid time as Liverpool boss during his three-year tenure between 1991 and 1994, in which he won just the FA Cup.

Benitez has won a European Cup with Liverpool and has guided to them to a second final. His side finished second in the Premier League last season, four points adrift of Manchester United.

Prior to joining Liverpool, he led Valencia to a Uefa Cup and two La Liga titles.

Fernando Torres, who Souness fears will leave the club if they do not clinch Champions League football next term, conceded earlier today that he thought Liverpool were out of the title race.

But Benitez was not yet ready to give up on hopes that the Reds can end their 20-year wait for the domestic crown ahead of Sunday's clash with Arsenal.

"I am just thinking about Arsenal," the Spanish tactician added. "We have to play against Arsenal, try to win, think about Wigan, think about Portsmouth and carry on."

The weekend clash, which resulted in a 4-4 thriller last season, could see Liverpool go within one point of the Gunners should they claim maximum points.

But Benitez was quick to play down the significance of the Anfield showdown, claiming every game from now until the end of the season is vital to the Reds' quest for a top-four finish.

Of Sunday's game: "I think it's important but every game can be important to the end of the season.

"We have to start with this one because they are at the top of the table so if we can win we will be closer and we'll have better chances to finish in the top four."