Last chance saloon for Liverpool

Liverpool v Inter Milan:The mercury was rising after Liverpool's FA Cup humbling by Barnsley, but Rafael Benitez, clenching both fists and reddening by the second when pressed on his Anfield future, would not take the bait. "We must work harder," he repeated, over and over and over again. It was the most mundane solution to a developing crisis, but at least the Liverpool manager's assessment was based in truth.

Benitez was first into Liverpool's Melwood training ground on Sunday morning and immediately began to compose an address to a squad of players who will dictate the club's Champions League fortunes against Internazionale and their manager's future beyond.

There is a state of inertia around the 2005 European champions, a situation created by the lack of communication between the owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett which has affected the day-to-day running of a club still coveted by Dubai International Capital. Liverpool's insipid form since Christmas would suggest that the inability to implement major decisions and take the club forward has contaminated manager and playing staff too, and it was with good reason that Benitez convened a team meeting within 24 hours of Barnsley.

If the Spaniard is to have his appeal for patience and appreciation granted by whichever board runs Liverpool this summer, then the malaise afflicting his players must be cured. Hence the sacrifice of Benitez's sacred cow on Sunday - rotation - when he told the assembled throng it was the intention to field only his strongest team in the pursuit of this season's remaining two targets: fourth place and the Champions League.

Liverpool have enhanced a rich European history with stirring, backs-to-the-wall results in recent years, as Barcelona, Olympiakos, Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen and Marseille can all testify, but they have never appeared as listless or so bereft of fighting spirit before a Champions League examination as they do today. On the evidence of recent outings few players would have the confidence to enter a karaoke competition, as Craig Bellamy did prior to Barcelona last year, never mind confront John Arne Riise with a golf club afterwards.

A more valid comparison for this Liverpool team is the final months of Gerard Houllier's reign when, following a fifth-round FA Cup exit at Portsmouth, the lack of a title challenge signalled the game was up for the manager despite claiming fourth place in the league.

Victory over an Inter team unbeaten in 23 Serie A matches this season, however, or merely a performance of faultless attitude and application, would allow Benitez to claim he still has a squad willing to take responsibility and fight his corner.

"The atmosphere is not bad," he claimed yesterday. "Everybody's sad, everybody's disappointed, but the players are training well. They know the Champions League is an important competition and also they know they have two targets now, to finish in the top four and the Champions League. I have explained this to them.

"We don't have to rest players with four competitions in mind. Now we just have to win every game, but to win the Champions League is not easy. Inter Milan are at the top of the table unbeaten, so you are talking about the top teams in Europe.

"It's clear they don't have too many weaknesses, but they have some, so we will try to find them. They are a fantastic team with good players and experience in Europe, so we have to play really well to beat them."

Those Benitez is expected to field at the heart of his team, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano, are acutely aware of the responsibility upon them. "We need to make a good start as the San Siro is not one of those places where, ideally, you'd want to go chasing a result," admitted the Liverpool captain. "Inter are a fantastic side, you have to be to be as far ahead in the Italian league as they are at the moment. It looks like they're odds-on favourites to make it three in a row and that's some achievement for them. We'll need to take our chances. That's been one of the frustrations of the season for all of us."

Mascherano could confront five fellow Argentinians in the Inter ranks - though only Javier Zanetti, Esteban Cambiasso and Julio Cruz are expected to start at Anfield - but the occasion overrides sentiment.

"I don't have any friends playing for the opposition against Liverpool," insisted the midfielder. "They are team-mates for my country and they are great, great players, but one of my jobs is to stop Inter Milan's best players playing over the next two games. I will die to try and get my team a win."

Figuratively at least, Benitez must hope that spirit proves infectious.