Crunch time in bid to kick-start season; Two 'must-win' games can transform mood.

Byline: IAN RUSH 

THESE are tough times at Anfield but it's vital we remain positive and get behind Rafa Benitez and his players during a crucial week.

After a run of just one win in 10 games it's easy to criticise, but the manager needs our support now more than ever.

Liverpool Football Club is famous for its loyalty. Our fans don't slag off the boss and they are there for the players when they are most needed.

It's a waste of time to be speculating about Benitez. The time to make an assessment is at the end of the season.

In May you have to ask whether we have made progress over the course of the season? Have we won a trophy? Have we finished in the top four? If the answer is no then you have to look around and decide whether someone else could do any better.

I still believe Benitez will turn things around but there's no question the next five days are absolutely massive with What you two 'must-win' games.

First up, it's Debrecen in the Champions League tonight and no team talk should be needed. Is Rush your sport@visit our liverpoolecho.

The players know what they have to do and I hope we take the game to the Hungarians from the start.

We made hard work of beating them at Anfield earlier in the season but both Lyon and Fiorentina have shown they are vulnerable defensively.

Of course one eye will be on events in Florence tonight where we desperately need Lyon to do us a favour. They may have already qualified but I'm sure they will want to get a positive result to top the group.

If Liverpool win and Lyon avoid defeat then it would set up a grandstand finish on December 9. We could find ourselves going into the home clash with Fiorentina needing to win by three goals to make the last 16.

And if it comes down to that then I certainly wouldn't back against us.

But all Liverpool can concern themselves with tonight is ensuring they do the business in Budapest. Whether we live to fight another day or face up to life in the Europa League, tomorrow we've got to start focusing on Sunday's derby at Goodison.

A favour from Lyon and two morale-boosting wins this week would really get our season back on track. But any more slip-ups and we'll have big problems.

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AERIAL PROWESS: Sotirios Kyrgiakos impressed after coming off the bench