Liverpool are struggling to live up to Benitez's claims they will qualify for a Champions League spot.

And last night they suffered a 2-1 defeat in their Europa League quarter-final, first leg clash away to Benfica after Ryan Babel - a target for McLeish in January - was sent off.

But McLeish believes Benitez is starting to turn around Liverpool's fortunes and, even if he does leave, the Spaniard will have plenty of interest from would-be employers.

McLeish said: "He has been around. He is an experienced manager. He has managed Valencia at the top level. They had fantastic times under Benitez.

"Now he is at a top club at Liverpool and been there a few years and, if he is not mentally tough, then I would be very surprised.

"He is under pressure but we are all under pressure. I am under pressure in a different way.

"Rafa has got to deal with that but, for a man of his calibre and managerial credentials, if it doesn't work out for him at Liverpool then there won't be a shortage of clubs looking to employ his services.

"But it looks like he has got Liverpool back to winning ways although hopefully we can put as spoke in their wheels and make sure they don't win here.

McLeish has challenged his Birmingham players to show they are not "one-season wonders" ahead of the Reds encounter.

Blues have exceeded all expectations in holding down a top 10 spot going into the final six games of the campaign when pundits and bookmakers were predicting an instant return to the Coca Cola Championship.

But McLeish knows the acid test will come during 2010-2011 in ensuring City build on their current success and already he can see teams adopting a different tactical approach to try and combat Birmingham's strengths.

He said: "It will be a big challenge for us, the second season, a huge challenge, and my message to the players when they come back for pre-season training is 'do it again.'

"You've got to do it again, you can't just be a one-season wonder and then fade into obscurity.

"That is my challenge to all the players and I think they've got the mentality in the dressing room to be thinking that way as well.

"It is a credit to them, that teams are now thinking differently tactically against us."

McLeish also believes Birmingham's ability to recover from being one or even two goals behind has given them belief and confidence.

They are also unbeaten at St Andrew's since the reversal against Bolton in late September and drew with Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in front of their own fans.

McLeish said: "It is in the locker, they've proved it, the evidence is there. They've kept coming back. It is not as though they are thinking, 'We've never been here, this is a new experience for us.'

"They've done it time and time again, not only at St Andrew's but away from home as well.

"But credit to the players and their ability to come back in games from a setback and it just shows the determination and will of the players."

McLeish expects to have a full squad to choose from on Sunday and has no fresh injury worries. The former Scotland boss said: "We have a couple of little niggles but we think everyone will make it."

Skipper Stephen Carr has picked up nine yellow cards this season and one more against Liverpool or Manchester City before a Football Association amnesty takes effect will result in a two-game suspension.