Benitez beats a retreat - Liverpool boss toes the line but Porto failure could see him sacked

Rafa Benitez appeared to climb down in the bitter feud with his Anfield bosses yesterday and launched an impassioned plea to be kept on as Liverpool manager.

Despite a "constructive" two-hour meeting with chief executive Rick Parry on Monday night and a planned protest march by worried supporters ahead of tonight's Champions League clash with Porto, Benitez's three-and-a-half year reign continues to hang by a thread.

Co-owners George Gillett and, in particular, Tom Hicks have become exasperated with Benitez's recent conduct and could even use the excuse of an early European exit to fire him should Liverpool falter against the Portuguese League leaders.

But the former Valencia coach launched a belated attempt to heal the rift, though, after previously claiming Hicks and Gillett knew nothing about the transfer market, and argued that his record should be enough to earn him a reprieve.

"In our past few games we have scored eight goals against Besiktas, two against Fulham and three at Newcastle," he said. "We are unbeaten in the Premiership and nine points better off than at this time last season.

"I believe the team are showing in every game that they are progressing and improving and we are going to get even stronger as players like Xabi Alonso, Jermaine Pennant and Daniel Agger regain fitness.

"We are in a very good position and I am convinced the squad is good enough now to maintain a challenge in the Premiership and Champions League."

Agger has suffered a setback in his recovery from a broken metatarsal, but Yossi Benayoun is fit.

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina said: "We want to keep getting points so we can focus on playing Marseille (the last group game) and make it like a final."