London  - Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, under fire after the club's worst succession of defeats for 22 years, received the backing of co-owner George Gillett on Thursday.

Four straight defeats have rocked Liverpool's hopes of silverware this season but the American said the manager had the full backing.

"Our family is extraordinarily pleased with him, we believe he is absolutely as good as there is in the business," said Gillett, who recently said Benitez, and not the owners, was responsible for what happens on the pitch.

"The run of results disappoints everybody. Certainly, it disappoints the fans and it disappoints Rafa. I have seen his television interview and I know he is disappointed. We are all disappointed, but we are in this together.

"We have just entered into a long-term agreement (five years) with Rafa," he said.

Liverpool's home defeat by Lyon in midweek has left them struggling to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Having finished second last year, they lie eighth in the table, seven points behind leaders and champions Manchester United. (dpa)