Former Liverpool player, Dietmar Hamman thinks it will be premature for the club to sack Rafa Benitez.

Hamman was a key member of Benitez's 2005 UEFA Champions League winning side and is certain that his former boss has all the qualities to take the club in the right direction.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Hamann said: "People calling for Rafa's head are being very premature,

"He has been there five years and has improved them every season.

"Rafa has got everything a top-class manager needs, he will turn it around.

"Every year Rafa has gradually improved Liverpool, every year he has taken them forward."

The former German international also gave his take on Liverpool's title chances, urging them to be realistic and go for a Champions League spot rather than dream of the league title.

He said: "There are still another 27 games left in the league and while I don't think they can win it after the start they have made, there is plenty of time to get into that top four.

"The team is good enough to pull through,

"They were pretty unlucky at Fulham.They could have been ahead at half-time and both the sendings off were harsh, sometimes things just don't go your way.

"But all they need are a couple of good results and a couple of key players to be fit again and once they've won once or twice everything will be fine again."

"I don't think you can blame the manager for taking Torres off when he's clearly not 100% fit - maybe Torres asked to be taken off, who knows?"

Hamann reckons the Reds should think positively and keep pushing ahead.

He exclaimed: "The big four all lost at least twice in their first 10 games so it seems more competitive at the top and this will work in Liverpool's favour, because you won't need quite as many points as in previous years to get into that top four.

"With Alberto Aquilani getting fit, Steven Gerrard on his way back and the fact that they won't lose any players to the African Cup of Nations in January, I think we'll see Liverpool improving from now on."