Brendan Rodgers has dismissed Jamie Carragher’s biting criticism of Liverpool
But the Liverpool manager has told his players they must ignore the barbs, including those hurled by former player Jamie Carragher, if they are to emerge unscathed from an alarming decline.
Liverpool head into tonight's Champions League tie with PFC Ludogorets having lost four successive matches and are aware another damaging reverse would leave them on a knife-edge or out of the competition altogether.
Rodgers will make changes to his line-up with Kolo Toure ready to come into his rearguard and Brazilian international Lucas is set to start as a defensive midfield role which will see skipper Steven Gerrard pushed forward into a more advanced position.
The scrutiny on Rodgers' reign has intensified following the 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday which prompted Carragher to accuse his former team-mates of being bullied and lacking character and leadership.
While Rodgers did not name his former vice-captain directly, the biting criticism has clearly irked him and urged his players to block it out.
"We hear criticism of the team, but this team has character – it showed it last season – it's got resilience," he said.
"Okay we will concede more than we would like at times but you can't question the character.
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I've said before whether criticism is deserved, or not, you won't like it, but you just have to ignore it
Brendan Rodgers
"It can't be criticised. We have players who've shown they have spirit. It's a comment that's been made of course...it's something that happens when you're paid to be critics, well not critics, but to assess the team.
"When you lose games what I've learnt is people will say what they want and that's what comes.
"I've said before whether criticism is deserved, or not, you won't like it, but you just have to ignore it. You just have to not listen to it.
"I have a team full of characters, full of people fully committed and hopefully that's something that will improve."
Liverpool's only victory in Group B came over Ludogorets in their opening game when a last minute penalty from Gerrard sealed a 2-1 victory.
Gerrard, 34, has seen his own form criticised heavily, but Rodgers mounted a staunch defence of his skipper and believes freeing him into a more advanced role in the Vasil Levski stadium will help.
"It is simple. I judge Steven on merit," said Rodgers. "The spotlight he has been under is incredible.
"People are expecting Steven Gerrard to be the type of player he was 10-12 years ago and that isn't going to be the case.
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"He has been slowly adapting to a role that I thought would be excellent for him. He is a wonderful, wonderful player.
"But he isn't going to be the player who gets 15 goals and 14 assists a season anymore.
"I can safely say he is the best I have ever worked with in terms of football commitment and intelligence.
"There is nothing sentimental about me picking him. He is coming to the latter part of his career, but he has a real value to the team still."
Victory over the Bulgarian champions will guarantee a final game shoot-out with FC Basel while, at the very least, ensuring Europa League football in 2015.
Liverpool have never lost four successive European games in the same season but languish off the pace in Group B following a dire reverse against FC Basel and back-to-back defeats by Real Madrid.
Rodgers retains the backing of American owners, Fenway Sports Group, but recognises the need for an immediate improvement.
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