YOU KNOW that moment when everyone in the room laughs and you're the only one who doesn't understand the joke?

Or when you're in a bar and the conversation has gone to some lofty, intellectual eyrie that you can't reach?

That's how it feels sometimes when you're not a Liverpool supporter.

This time last year, when the Reds were dropping points all over the place and sliding out of the Champions League places, I thought that Rafa Benitez might be in a spot of bother.

Not according to the Liverpool fans. They marched through the streets in defence of his honour.

And this season, now that Liverpool have taken a title challenge through the winter months for the first time since I was at school, I sort of figured that Benitez was doing quite well.

Ah, but no. Listen to any UK radio phone-in, read any Internet messageboard and all you'll find are disgruntled Liverpool fans begging for his head on a plate.

Liverpool have got better, but apparently Benitez's position is more precarious than ever before. I can't keep up.

Sunday's disappointing 1-1 draw with Manchester City was widely heralded as the end of Liverpool's title challenge, which is strange because my league table tells me that there are still 12 games to go.

I still think, as I have since the start of the season, that United will lift the title, but an awful lot can happen in 12 games and football has a limitless capacity for surprise.

Besides, Liverpool haven't been as close to Manchester United as this for years.

Where's the problem? If everyone is, quite rightly, doffing their cap to Aston Villa for lifting themselves from sixth to fourth, why aren't we all doing the same for Liverpool and their surge from fourth to second?

Ironic

Benitez would have been sacked by now had it not been for the Liverpool fans, which makes this gradual betrayal all the more ironic.

Their support has made him fireproof, but if the American owners believe that they can dispense with him without sparking a revolution, they'll do it.

Their efforts at securing him on a long-term contract relied upon him devolving power on transfers and the long-term policies of the football club.

Benitez is refusing to consider anything but absolute control, but he can only demand that while he has the backing of the supporters.

In five years, the Spaniard has proved himself a master tactician.

The European Cup-winning side of 2005 must be the most mediocre to have ever lifted the trophy, but Benitez marshalled them perfectly.

A repeat appearance in the final two years later proved that it was no fluke.

In the league, his results have been less impressive, but the team is slowly improving. There is less of an emphasis on the long punt these days and the short, intricate passing game is back in vogue.

Those fans calling for change should take a deep breath and reflect on the past five years and the progress that has been made, in spite of the off-the-field distractions.

With two warring owners and mountains of debt, Liverpool still have the potential to do a Leeds United.

The stability that Benitez brings to the club is the best thing going for them right now.

He's a good manager and no matter how frustrating those draws are, this has been a good season.

To cast him aside now would be just another joke that I don't quite 'get'.