GEORGE GILLETT has  offered his support to Rafael  Benitez – as Glen Johnson  provided another boost for the  beleaguered Liverpool  manager.

Anfield co-owner Gillett was  present to watch Benitez’s  side slump to a 2-1 home  Champions League defeat  against Lyon on Tuesday  night.

It was a fourth defeat in  succession – Liverpool’s worst  losing sequence in more than  22 years – to further increase  the pressure on the Anfield  manager.

But when asked if  the backing for Benitez was  still in place, Gillett said:  “Absolutely. We have just  entered into a long-term  agreement with Rafa. Our  family is extraordinarily  pleased with him, we think he  is absolutely as good as there  is in the business and I am  sure the Hicks' feel the same  way. We just extended his  contract.

“I think the run of results  disappoints everybody.  Certainly, it disappoints the  fans and it disappoints Rafa. I  know he is disappointed. We  are all disappointed, but we  are in this together.”

Gillett added: “He looked  downbeat (when interviewed  on television after Tuesday’s game). I think  we all saw the same thing, but  that's not something I am  going to comment on publicly.  But I am being supportive and  I think Tom is.”

Liverpool are grappling  with a growing injury crisis  ahead of Sunday’s crucial  showdown with bitter North  West rivals Manchester  United.

Steven Gerrard, who limped  out after 25 minutes on  Tuesday after aggravating an  adductor problem, and  Fernando Torres continue  to undergo intensive  treatment but remain  major doubts.

Glen Johnson, though, is  confident he can recover  from the groin injury that  forced him to miss the  Lyon defeat.

“I feel a lot better than  yesterday and fingers  crossed I will be ready for  Sunday,” said Johnson. “I  had a problem with my  groin in training on  Monday but it feels a lot  better now.”