Benitez shields Morientes from fans' flak

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez (L) and Fernando Morientes hold up a team scarf in January 2005. Benitez has vowed to keep faith in Morientes ahead of the Champions League encounter with Anderlecht on November 1.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has vowed to keep faith in misfiring striker Fernando Morientes ahead of Tuesday's Champions League Group G encounter with Anderlecht, despite growing criticism being aimed in the direction of the former Real Madrid star.

Morientes has struggled to adapt to English football since his 6.3-million-pound January move from Real and his return of just five goals in 27 appearances has prompted supporters to question the performances of the Spain international.

The 29-year-old, who has struck an impressive 23 goals in 37 appearances for his country, has failed to score for Liverpool since netting twice in the 3-1 victory over CSKA Sofia during the qualifying stages in August.

However, Benitez insists that Morientes has the mental strength to emerge from his barren spell and prove his worth at Anfield.

He said: "I have spoken to Fernando about his game and asked him how he feels and he tells me that he is really well and his confidence is still high. He wants to play as often as possible.

"He is an intelligent player and, when he is fit, Fernando can play to a very good level. Sometimes it is difficult to see the confidence in a player, but I know that he is trying to impress.

"During his time at Madrid, he scored a lot of goals, but he was playing alongside Raul and that is another thing that helps when you are a striker because he always scored and took the pressure off the other forwards.

"When he joined Liverpool, he had a choice of clubs who were prepared to pay him more money. He could have joined Lyon or Monaco, but he wanted to come to Liverpool. He took a pay cut and said he would only be paid in full if he won trophies and he scored goals.

"That shows everyone the hunger he has to succeed. He has a big reputation and maybe he is trying to start again at Liverpool, but everyone was happy with him against West Ham on Saturday. He worked very hard and was very unlucky not to score and, if you talk to Morientes, there is no doubt how much he wants to succeed at Liverpool."

Victory for Liverpool against the Belgians will all but guarantee qualification for the knock-out stages for the defending European champions.

Domestically, Liverpool have disappointed in the Premiership so far this season while remaining unbeaten in the Champions League and Benitez admits that his players must strike a better balance between the competitions.

He said: "We are playing better in the Champions League because we are scoring goals and winning games. We try to play good football in the Premiership as well as in Europe, but the results are what matter.

"The Premiership is physical, while you have to use your brain and muscle together in the Champions League. Still, the important thing is to win this game against Anderlecht and then concentrate on other things."

Benitez goes into the game with a fully fit squad for only the second time this season. Captain Steven Gerrard may yet be handed a right-sided role again, as he was against West Ham, to accommodate Xabi Alonso and Mohamed Sissoko at the heart of midfield.