London, Dec. 25 : Coach Rafa Benitez has said that Liverpool''s under performing players are hurt by their current struggles.

The Reds have won just four of their last 17 games and were criticised by former striker Ian Rush this week, who claimed not enough of the squad were smarting after last weekend''s abject 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth.

The Sun quoted Benitez, as saying: "I do not accept that the players are not hurt by what is happening. They are working very hard to put things right. I can guarantee 100 per cent that they are trying to win every game and they are upset when things do not go well."

Benitez has held talks with several players — Torres and Gerrard included — to try to prompt an upturn in form ahead of the Boxing Day clash against Wolves and the trip to Aston Villa on Monday.

He said: "I have spoken to several players, not just Gerrard and Torres. They are all determined to do well, but when we concede a goal, now we lose any confidence that we have acquired.

"That is my responsibility, to improve confidence. To do that I have to be positive, it is the only way. The message is very clear, we have quality in our squad and we must show that,” Benitez said. (ANI)