Barnsley inflict Mersey misery in one of the greatest ever FA Cup upsets

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Now a shell-shocked Benitez has just two days to change the mood in the Liverpool camp before Tuesday night's Champions League showdown with Inter Milan.

Last-gasp heroes: Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele was brilliant throughout the match

As Championship side Barnsley celebrated securing a place in the quarter-finals with their 2-1 victory, Benitez knows that his future at the Premier League club may depend upon his side's ability to bounce back in Europe's biggest competition.

The taunts from Barnsley's match-winner last night rubbed salt in Liverpool's wounds. Howard said: "Benitez didn't play his strongest side against us. He was thinking about Inter Milan on Tuesday and it backfired.

"They are out of the FA Cup now and well behind in the Premier League, so they've got to produce in Europe."

A defiant Benitez defended his decision to leave Gerrard on the bench and star striker Fernando Torres — recovering from injury — in the stands.

Benitez said: "Torres wasn't fit and if you are playing at Anfield against Barnsley and you need to think about one player, well...last week people were talking about Xabi Alonso and he played today."

Asked if the extraordinary defeat piled more pressure on him personally, Benitez replied: "Pressure is always there. If you want to win games, you must try to change small things. But it was incredible how many chances we had, and if we get that many against Inter Milan, we will score goals. But we must show more confidence in front of goal."

Benitez insisted there had been nothing wrong with Liverpool's performance until it came to scoring.

He explained: "I have told the players that the work rate wasn't to blame. We cannot change this result now so we must approach the next game and make sure we take our chances. This is frustrating but their keeper was fantastic."

Luke Steele, on loan from West Bromwich Albion, made a series of stunning saves, although England striker Peter Crouch was the worst culprit in front of goal after Dirk Kuyt had given the favourites the lead.

Stephen Foster equalised in the second half to set up the grandstand finish.

Barnsley manager Simon Davey, a Liverpool supporter as a boy, said: "To come to a club I supported as a youngster and do this is just incredible — a dream."