Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has called for patience at Anfield, amidst calls for Rafael Benitez to vacate his position following a disappointing run of form.

The Spanish boss has come under fierce criticism after a torrid set of results, with former Reds star Ronnie Whelan amongst those suggesting that his tenure should come to a ignominious halt.

But Hamann, who played an integral role in the 2005 Champions League final victory, believes that the club should stick with Benitez despite a lacklustre start to the season.

“People calling for Rafa’s head are being very premature,” Hamann told BBC Sport.

“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.”

The German’s former side have endured six defeats in their previous seven games, and face the unenviable task of overcoming Lyon in France to keep their European hopes alive, but the German has indicated that this set of results should not be used to cast judgement on Benitez’s record at the club.

“It’s almost the first time in his five-year period at Anfield where they’ve had a bad spell like this,” added Hamann.

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

Hamann went on to suggested that Liverpool adopt a more realistic approach to the domestic campaign, ruling out a title run.

“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,” added Hamann.

“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.”

The German suggested that the blame be shared amongst the squad, and not be wholly placed at the manager’s feet, and defended the decision to pull Fernando Torres off in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Fulham.

“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?” said Hamann.

“It’s just ridiculous that people are coming out and saying these things when only the manager knows how fit people are, only he is in charge of that team. I don’t think that’s up to anyone else to judge.

“I think this game in Lyon on Wednesday is more important than any of the league games they have played recently.

“Financially for Liverpool it is vital for them to reach the last 16 of the Champions League, so at this moment in time you can see why Rafa would prioritise Wednesday’s game more than Fulham away.

Hamann hoped that a change in fortune, and a bolstered squad could reignite Liverpool’s campaign.

“There is so much time left in the league - and you saw with Manchester City drawing on Sunday that teams aren’t exactly capitalising when Liverpool don’t win.

“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.”