Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is done four! After the beach ball fiasco, Steven Gerrard gamble backfires as Reds equal their worst run for 22 years
Making a stand: Rafa Benitez was defiant in defeat
Rafa Benitez was reeling from Liverpool's worst run of results in 22 years and another injury setback for Steven Gerrard after a Champions League calamity at Anfield.
Liverpool are facing elimination at the group stage after an injury-time winner from Lyon substitute Cesar Delgado left them floundering behind the French side and Fiorentina.
Arsenal also conceded a goal in added time as they drew 1-1 with AZ Alkmaar in Holland.
Disaster: Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has to go off injured
Benitez's gamble over Gerrard's fitness backfired and he was booed by Liverpool fans after substituting in-form Yossi Benayoun, who put Liverpool ahead in the 2-1 defeat.
Liverpool have now lost four games in a row for the first time since 1987 and defeat against Manchester United on Sunday would further inflame the supporters' anger.
But Benitez adopted a defiant stance as he brushed aside suggestions the pressure might be mounting and said: 'My appetite for the job is as strong as ever.'
Gerrard had been declared ready to return 24 hours earlier after missing Saturday's defeat at Sunderland with a groin strain, but he cut a sorry figure as he made his way off, head bowed, after barely 25 minutes.
It was clear the England midfielder's troublesome groin was restricting his movement once more and a packed Anfield was reduced to stunned silence as he gave way to Fabio Aurelio.
Benitez faces an anxious wait while Gerrard's bleak prospects of facing United on Sunday are assessed but he had other things on his mind as he reflected on a defeat that leaves them having to win all three remaining Group E games to be sure of going through.
He said: 'I don't think it was a risk with Gerrard because he wanted to play and the doctor gave him the all-clear. He had been training for two days but sometimes luck can go against you. He just felt something and knew he had to come off. We will know more tomorrow about Stevie and Glen Johnson, who injured a groin in training.
'There have just been too many problems, before the game and during it, and I am really disappointed with the outcome.
'It was a difficult game with all our problems, and we had done well to be leading at the break. Then we had two or three chances soon after the interval.
'Had we scored, it would have changed everything. But we have to lift ourselves for the United game on Sunday, we have to push on.
'Who will lift me? My staff will help me and I am sure the players will be there for me as well, as will everyone else who wants to see Liverpool win. I know the fans did not want to see Yossi go off, but I knew he was tired and that we needed fresh legs. I can understand it, though. They like him and wanted him on the pitch.
'All I am concerned about is preparing for the next game and I will start that as soon as I finish this press conference.'
Liverpool have been written off by many in the Premier League title chase and are now in dire straits in Europe, six points behind Lyon and three behind Fiorentina, who beat Debrecen 4-3 in Hungary.
Brave face: Carragher believes a win over United on Sunday will raise morale
Jamie Carragher put on a brave face and claimed Sunday's Anfield showdown with United could be the perfect opportunity for lifting morale.
'It's a massive disappointment, losing like that, a bad result which leaves us a lot to do,' he said.
'We're going through a tough patch but we've had those before, and I am sure we will come through this one.
'We have great fight and character. We had a lot of young lads tonight and if we could have hung on for a draw, it would have been a good result.
'It's always a great game against United. They are a top side, and that could be just the game we need.'
