Monday, March 03, 2008

Rafa Urges Reds To Go Fourth

Rafael Benitez knows Liverpool are right in the frame to clinch a Champions League place for next season.

Benitez's side followed up last weekend's Barclays Premier League win against Middlesbrough by beating Bolton 3-1 at the Reebok Stadium.

It was a sweet success for the Spanish coach, given the club's miserable record on the ground.

A bizarre own goal from Jussi Jaaskelainen after 11 minutes sent Liverpool on their way to an emphatic victory.

The Bolton goalkeeper turned a shot from Steven Gerrard into his own net with his face and his side never really recovered.

Ryan Babel and Fabio Aurelio extended their lead before Tamir Cohen, son of former Liverpool favourite Avi, pulled a goal back.

Liverpool now entertain West Ham on Wednesday in good heart after this comfortable victory.

Benitez said: "Every win is important when you are fighting for fourth place.

"You need to put the other teams around you under pressure and we have done that.

"As we have a game in hand, it depends on what we do. You do not need to see the table every day.

"If we can win against West Ham, then we go go into the game after that with confidence."

Skipper Steven Gerrard told Setanta Sports 1: "As captain of the team, we are disappointed with where we are in the league.

"We need to keep together and keep fighting to the end.

"It was massive result. We have been inconsistent so it's important to get the points."

Benitez reiterated he is content at Anfield and claimed his focus was on winning matches and not his future plans.

"I am really happy here at Liverpool," he said. "At this moment, though, I am only thinking about our games."

Benitez had some sympathy for Jaaskelainen, but added: "It was disappointing for him but good for us.

"Sometimes these things happen and we went on to play well after a difficult opening few minutes.

"We knew if we did not pass the ball then we could get drawn into a physical game.

"We needed to play at a high tempo and keep our concentration and we did that."

Bolton may be in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup but they remain in danger of relegation.

Due to face Sporting Lisbon on Thursday, they could be without captain Kevin Nolan after he suffered a back injury and came off at half-time.

Nolan's absence would be a blow for Bolton but manager Gary Megson is more concerned about getting him fit for domestic duty.

He excused Jaaskelainen for his gaffe by saying: "Jussi is a fantastic goalkeeper. He made two great saves after that.

"He has held his hands up but these balls moved quite a bit in the air and it came back and hit him in the face.

"The first goal can be vital and it took the wind out of our sails. We got picked off rather too easily."

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