Rafa Benitez responds to question about fearing for his Everton future after Liverpool derby thrashing

Rafa Benitez insists he does not fear for his Everton future despite suffering a chastening defeat in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool.

Things went from bad to worse for the Toffees as they fell to a 4-1 loss against their bitter rivals at Goodison Park on Tuesday night.

Bar a Demarai Gray consolation goal, the home side were routed by Jurgen Klopp’s visitors.

Everton's horrendous form continued and they've now lost six of the past seven games - and won just once in 11 outings.

Pressure is piling on Benitez, with fans venting their frustration towards him at the final whistle.

There were also chants of “sack the board” fired at director of football Marcel Brands and chairman Bill Kenrwright as they made their way out of the stands.

But Benitez remains defiant he's the right man for the job.

Asked if he feared for his position, he said: “No, I am a professional and I have enough experience.

“I can see a team that is giving everything. The commitment of the players is there.

"We have to analyse the commitment, the effort and the desire of the players and after that, we have to make the right decisions.”

Background

Benitez was an unpopular appointment as Carlo Anclotti’s successor among some sections of fans.

That was mainly because of his roots to Liverpool, having won the Champions League in 2005 and once called the Toffees a “small club”.

The Spaniard made a superb start to life at Goodison, though, picking up 13 points from his first six Premier League matches.

However, Everton are winless since defeating lowly Norwich on September 25 and collected just two points in their subsequent eight games.

Injuries to key players such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yerry Mina - who are both still absent - along with Abdoulaye Doucoure have been one reason behind the slump.