Benitez shares Gerrard dismay

Gerrard claimed he felt "gutted every time I look at the table" and insisted chasing fourth place was unacceptable for the Anfield club.

And Benitez said: "Everyone at Liverpool shares Steven's sentiments. There is no question about that."

He added: "We wanted to be further up the table and the fact we are not is a disappointment to everyone.

"We are still confident of finishing in the top four, which would obviously mean we would qualify for next season's Champions League."

And it is that competition, in which the club have excelled during the Spaniard's reign, which he believes can save their stuttering campaign.

"The important thing now is to concentrate on what we can still do," he said.

"We are still in the Champions League and our record in that competition is one that most other clubs would envy."