Benitez is safe says Liverpool director Purslow

Rafa Benitez's position as Liverpool manager is safe for the moment, despite his club's early exit from the Champions League last night.

"He is under no threat," said Liverpool's managing director Christian Purslow. "I'm on the record as saying Rafa's signed a new five-year contract - he's four months into that contract so to discuss that is not appropriate.

"You don't deviate from long-term plans for people and the way to take the club to the next level because of two late goals against Lyon, and that's what it boils down to."

Purslow was referring to Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Lyon and their earlier 2-1 defeat against the team at Anfield.

Benitez, meanwhile, has said his team will now concentrate on finishing in the top four of the Premier League. Currently seventh, their position as one of the English top flight's 'big four' is under serious threat from the likes of Man City and Aston Villa.

"The main thing for us is to finish in the top four and to be in the Champions League group stages again next year," said the Liverpool manager. "Only then can we also think about the Europa League and the FA Cup."

Liverpool are now favourites to win the Europa Cup, the second tier European tournament, which teams eliminated from the Champions League are automatically entered into – and despite Benitez’s stated priorities, his captain, Steven Gerrard at least seems keen.

"We'll try to win that," he said. "The main prize has gone and to be playing in the Europa League is disappointing but we have to accept that, move on and try to win that competition. The only consolation for us now is if we go on and win the secondary one."