Brendan Rodgers has insisted he has an "inherent, absolute belief" Liverpool will still nail down a top four place this season.
The Reds boss was relaxed, and even jovial on Friday in the face of more questioning over his future, after bookies continue to make him amongst the favourites to become the next manager to lose his job.
He will, he stated bluntly, "fight for his life" to ensure he stays at the club for many years to come, and that desire, he explained, is based on the belief there is still so much more to come from this team.
The Reds have lost their last three Premier League games on the bounce, and have taken just four points from their last 15, but they are still only five points off the top four, and the Irishman declared:
"I have an inherent belief that we can still make the top four. Absolutely. I know what we are all capable of here.
"For whatever reason it hasn't happened for us as yet but like I said to the players the other night, our standards will go up after the game against Ludogorets.
"Thankfully, no matter how we have been we are still within touching distance and that is the initial aim. Fourth and then moving forward. If that is the aim and we are only five points off it then that gives me belief that we have every chance of doing it.
Ludogorets v Liverpool: Best pictures
"I am not saying it is going to be easy or not hard, we obviously have to pick up form, but I saw enough encouragement from the group the other night that we are going to move forward and now is the time to do that.
"If we put a run of results together then we have the experience from last year because the players went through it and did it then. I have every belief that we can do it. There is a huge improvement we can make, and we will make, and that gives us every chance of doing it."
Liverpool's recent slump has piled pressure on the manager, especially because he has insisted on taking full responsibility for the poor performances in an attempt to shield his players.
Bookies made him as low as 5-4 to be sacked, but he laughed off that particular statistic, while revealing his passionate inner desire to ensure he has a long term future at Anfield.
"I am satisfied that all I can do with what I have is the best I can possibly do and when you do that and put hours and hours into your work and study and manage to motivate players that makes you quite relaxed," he said.
Liverpool training: Best pictures
"Inside me I know that I will fight for my life to be here for as long as I can and I understand that if there is a rocky spell then that is something you never like as a manager.
"You never like seeing or hearing things like you are the bookies favourite to get the sack when six months ago I was Manager of the Year but that is modern football.
"All I can do is my best and I will continue to do my best and while I do that I will always be relaxed knowing that whenever that time comes from the owners, whether it is in one month or 10 years, I will walk out of here knowing I have given my absolute all to give the club what it wants. I am happy with that."
Rodgers looks likely to rest Steven Gerrard for the visit of Stoke, saving him for the game against Leicester on Tuesday, and he will use Adam Lallana in a role behind Rickie Lambert instead.
Mario Balotelli still hasn't recovered from a pelvic injury, and won't be considered. The manager also defended keeper Simon Mignolet, and will keep faith with him.