London, Oct 25 : Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez will become a lame duck boss if his club loses to Manchester United.

There is no immediate need at Anfield to sack Benitez, but he will be fired if Liverpool miss out on next season’s Champions League. And a fifth defeat from 10 games will make even a top four finish a huge task for Benitez’s beleaguered side.

Benitez knows the pressure is mounting, as five straight defeats would represent the club''s worst run since relegation in 1953.

The Spaniard is so desperate to avoid defeat against Liverpool’s bitterest rivals, Manchester United, that he has named Steven Gerrard in the squad even though the captain has not trained since Monday and lasted just 24 minutes in the defeat against Lyon.

Fernando Torres is also likely to feature at some stage against United despite the fact he is no more than 75 per cent fit.

Both Torres and Gerrard will be given until this morning to prove their fitness, but the Spaniard is most likely of the duo to play a part, News of the World reports.

Owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr will be attending the game, and are sure to assess the mood on The Kop as much as the team’s performance.

For as long as Benitez has the support of the majority of the fans, his job is safe. (ANI)