Liverpool’s chances of beating local rivals Everton in the FA Cup tomorrow have been boosted by their victory over Chelsea at the weekend, claims manager Rafael Benitez.
The Anfield men face a fourth-round replay at a hostile Goodison Park, with a home tie against Aston Villa or Doncaster awaiting the winners.
Benitez accepts that Liverpool’s form had been patchy during the past few weeks, despite the fact that they have gone 16 matches unbeaten in all competitions.
A string of draws, including two against Everton last month, underlined Liverpool’s inconsistency.
They were held 1-1 twice on their own ground by the Toffees, once in the league and once in the Cup.
But Benitez feels that the victory over Chelsea on Sunday has been a major boost to team morale.
He said: "Everything was positive against Chelsea, so going into the derby we are very confident.
"In the first game, the league match, we did not play well. In the second game we were much better, so hopefully this replay will see us play like we did in the first cup tie.
"The players needed to show their character, and now we know we can beat anyone. It will be difficult at Goodison Park, but we can do it. The win over Chelsea has given everyone a lift.
"Now we have a really big cup tie at Everton, one I believe we can win and one that will given the fans something to be excited about after our win over Chelsea.
"Our win over Chelsea gave everyone a lift, especially as it was against a side at the top of the table with us."
Benitez was critical of Everton’s defensive tactics in both recent games at Anfield, but he would not be drawn into further comment on the subject on the eve of the replay.
He said: "I do not know how Everton will play, whether they will attack more. But maybe in front of their own fans they will have to be more offensive.
"We have done well at Goodison Park of late, and we have enough confidence. But we know it is a derby and very, very difficult.
"We will have to approach the game carefully and we know it will be really tough. Anything can happen in this type of game."
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