Arsene Wenger believes the criticism levelled at under-fire Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is undeserved and "excessive".

The Reds are in their worst run of form for 22 years, with four defeats in the Barclays Premier League already, and face a crunch clash at leaders Manchester United on Sunday lunchtime.

Arsenal manager Wenger, though, feels the Spaniard - who won the Champions League against AC Milan in 2005, and reached the final again two years later - should be given more respect for what he has achieved.

"It is always excessive," said Wenger, who himself received plenty of flak when the Gunners struggled for consistency this time last season.

"We are, with a big club, in a job where you know that the moment the team goes through a difficult period, you get more stick than you should.

"But we know in our job as well that it is all part of it.

"I feel sorry that he gets that because he does not deserve it.

"But we all basically understand within this job, that it is part of the rules."

Wenger last secured a trophy with the FA Cup in 2005.

The Gunners boss, though, believes managers of big clubs must be capable of dealing with unfavourable questioning.

"In a big club, you need to be extremely strong because you get a lot of negative vibes," he added.

"When you do not start well in the race for the Premier League, it's all negative around you.

"What is happening to Liverpool today happened to us last year.

"Every single question is negative for the whole season.

"You need to be extremely strong inside the club to deal with that."