Rafael Benitez is looking his side will bounce back from their latest defeat when they entertain Manchester United on Sunday.

The Reds have lost their last four games - two in the league and the others in the Champions League - and lie eighth in the table, seven points behind leaders United.

At least manager Benitez has the backing of co-owner George Gillett who has declared himself pleased with the manager's work despite successive losses to Fiorentina, Chelsea, Sunderland and Lyon.

Gillett is also sure fellow co-owner Tom Hicks is fully behind the Spaniard.

"We have just entered into a long-term agreement with Rafa," said Gillett.

"Our family is extraordinarily pleased with him, we think he is absolutely as good as there is in the business and I am sure the Hicks' feel the same way. We just extended his contract."

Gillett told the club website, www.liverpoolfc.tv: "I think the run of results disappoints everybody. Certainly, it disappoints the fans and it disappoints Rafa. I know he is disappointed. We are all disappointed, but we are in this together."

Injury has left Benitez without Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard for some of those recent defeats but at least summer signing Alberto Aquilani is close to a first team debut after playing for the reserves in midweek, although that is unlikely to be against United.

United defender Rio Ferdinand does not believe Liverpool's recent poor run will have a bearing on Sunday's game.

"I think form goes out of the window in these games," Ferdinand told MUTV.

"We all know that when there's a big rivalry between two teams, whether it's a derby or a big cup clash, form doesn't come into it.

"It all comes down to who performs best on the day and that's what we're looking to do."

United could be dislodged as leaders by Chelsea on Saturday if they win at home to Blackburn.

At least Chelsea have home form in the league on their side after beating Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in between away defeats to Wigan and Aston Villa.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have also kept to winning ways in the Champions League during that time, picking up victories away to Apoel Nicosia and at home to Atletico Madrid.

Ivorian striker Salomon Kalou hopes to repeat his scoring form from the Atletico game when he netted twice.

Kalou started the game at Stamford Bridge and said: "It was a very good opportunity for me, I haven't been playing lately and I scored two goals which is very good."

Kalou added on www.chelseafc.com: "The manager said to keep it for next week, so I'll keep one for Saturday. It's very important for a player to get on the pitch and show what he can do."

At the other end of the table the battle between Hull and Portsmouth at the KC Stadium has added significance with both clubs in the bottom three going into the game.

With only three league wins between them this season - Hull have two and Portsmouth one - a victory would be welcome for more than just the three points on offer to the winners.

Birmingham fans will be hoping for a bright start to the new era at St Andrew's as Alex McLeish's side take on Sunderland.

Following the takeover by Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung, which came before last Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal, the fans at Birmingham will be looking forward to promised new signings in the January transfer window.

What better start to the new era than a home win against Sunderland who are managed by former boss Steve Bruce.

But with the Black Cats having drawn away to Manchester United and won at home against Liverpool in their last two games more home misery is on the cards for McLeish's side.

In the other fixtures on Saturday Wolves play Aston Villa, Tottenham take on Stoke and Burnley face Wigan.

There are three other fixtures on Sunday - Bolton play Everton, Manchester City take on Fulham and West Ham are at home to Arsenal.