Both Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson have been training at Melwood this week after lack of fitness ruled them out of England’s showpiece friendly against Brazil in Qatar this evening.

Benitez reckons the feedback after Monday’s 2-2 draw with Birmingham City suggests supporters are also confident the tide is being turned at Anfield.

“I was really pleased talking to some fans after the Birmingham game,” said the Spaniard. “The fans who were in the stadium could see the team did well. We have not had the luck with two late goals against Lyon and then on Monday against Birmingham.

“We deserved to win these games and the fans in the stadium know it's just a question of time.

“For me, if you're playing well and creating chances in every game, then it's just about getting a little bit of luck, scoring the second goal and finishing the game.”

Benitez added: “We have a better squad than people think. It's a question of getting some key players back.

“You could see the other day that with Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard we were creating so many chances. The quality is there.”

Meanwhile, Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has reiterated his backing for the beleaguered Benitez and pointed to a lack of understanding by pundits at Liverpool’s plight.

“They have been without Torres and Gerrard, their two best players, and any team is less effective when they lose their best players,” said McLeish.

“Unfortunately there’s not a lot of understanding in the game when you lose players like that. But it’s the life the manager is and you have to accept that.

“You have to ride above the storm and criticism. I’ve been through it before. You have to bounce back, and Benitez is a top manager and has loads of medals to his name and I’m sure he will bounce back.”