Rafael Benítez insists his position is not the issue

Rafael Benítez has insisted his position is "not the issue" as Liverpool attempt to prevent their season becoming even more troubled tonight, when they seek to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the away leg of their Europa League tie against Lille. The manager conceded it had been a "bad season" and "really disappointing" but argued that the club still had a bright future and cited, as evidence, José Reina's willingness to sign a new contract at Anfield. "For me, it is time to concentrate on the games we have," Benítez said. "Everyone has a responsibility and I will try to stay focused. It's the same for the players because this period is crucial. "The most important thing, though, is the future of the club, not just one good or bad season, and the best thing we can do is focus on the football. My own position is not the issue. It's not about whether we win or lose over one season, it's about having the consistency over how we do things. "My own responsibility is to be focused and my only ambition at this moment is to beat Lille. It's not a case of: 'Oh, Rafa's not guaranteeing his future.' I don't need to say anything about that. I have a very good vision about the future, but now the responsibility is just the next game. That's all I can do." Benítez has come under scrutiny after Liverpool's failure to reach the Champions League knockout stages, Reading's victory at Anfield in the FA Cup and nine Premier League defeats. The club began the season among the favourites to wrest the title from Manchester United's grasp, after finishing second last year. Benítez admitted his team had been struggling with confidence issues. "The expectations were really high at the beginning of the season," he said. "When we didn't win a few games there were a few comments, a bit of uncertainty and the confidence of the players was affected, but that is something we have to manage. "One bad season, although it's really disappointing, is not the main thing. The main thing is concentrating on the future. One good or bad year doesn't make the difference. You have to see the big picture and my responsibility is to focus on the things I can change. "My motivation is to win trophies. I want to be contenders in every competition, so we have to stay together to bring the best out of everyone. We have an important game to prepare for, and then have to do the same for another crucial one [at Manchester United] on Sunday." Benítez can at least be encouraged by Reina's declaration that he is close to signing a new contract, even if that was followed by the goalkeeper echoing Fernando Torres's appeal for the club to bring in more players. "I hope we can compete with these kinds of transfers [by Manchester United and Chelsea] and spend some more money in the market, maybe go toe-to-toe with them," Reina said. "All I want and all the team wants is to be competitive as the others." The Rhône Group is reported to have given Liverpool's co-owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, three weeks to take or leave its offer to pay off £110m of the club's debt in exchange for a 40% stake. Liverpool (4-2-3-1, possible): Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insúa; Lucas, Mascherano; Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel; Torres. Lille (4-1-2-2-1, possible): Landreau; Béria, Chedjou, Rami, Emerson; Mavuba; Balmont, Cabaye; Hazard, Obraniak; Frau.