Madrid - Javier Aguirre's job as coach of troubled Atletico Madrid is in jeopardy if Liverpool are not beaten on Wednesday.

This is the claim made on Monday by Madrid sports daily Marca.

Saturday's late 1-2 defeat at home to crosstown rivals Real Madrid has left the Mexican coach "in real trouble", according to Marca.

Rival daily AS says on Monday that Aguirre is "against the ropes."

Atletico are now eighth in La Liga, having lost their last three games, against Sevilla, Barcelona and Real.

An online poll taken by Marca shows, on Monday morning, that 66.89 per cent of readers believe that Aguirre should continue - for the time being.

Atletico fans are grateful to Aguirre for getting them back into the Champions League, after an absence of 11 years.

In addition, his team has made a good start in Group D, having already beaten PSV Eindhoven (3-0 away) and Olympique Marseille (2-1 at home).

But the taciturn Mexican is clearly running out of time and credit.

Another online poll taken by Marca shows that 70 per cent of Atletico fans blame him for the Real defeat. In particular, his decision to field a 4-4-2 formation without wingers - leaving Simao Sabrosa and Luis Garcia on the bench until late - has been slated.

Last week Aguirre was banned from the touchline for two matches by UEFA for shouting at Marseille players during the stormy October 1 clash.

Aguirre is normally calm and philosophical, but has been frequently losing his cool in recent weeks.

Atletico's Estadio Calderon was also closed for two matches - a decision later suspended, due to the club's difficulties in finding an alternative venue for the Liverpool match.

Aguirre will be without injury victims Tomas Ujfalusi, Pablo Ibanez and Maxi Rodriguez.

The good news for him is that Georgios Seitaridis, Maniche, Simao and Diego Forlan are all fit again.

Aguirre, 49, took over at Atletico in 2006, after four fairly successful years at Osasuna.

He had rejoined Osasuna - for whom he had played after catching the eye at the 1986 World Cup - in 2002, after taking Mexico to the second round at the 2002 World Cup.

Three months ago Aguirre was offered the Mexico job again but turned it down in order to guide Atletico in the Champions League.

It might be a decision that he is regretting right now.