Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes the additional competition for Champions League places this season will actually help his stuttering side.
The Reds are currently seventh, five points outside the top four, after a dismal run of only two wins in their last nine Barclays Premier League matches.
However, despite their recent poor form, they have not been cut adrift from Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester City, the other teams realistically chasing Champions League qualification.
And, with leaders Chelsea having lost three times and United and Arsenal four, the Liverpool boss believes there will be plenty more opportunities to reclaim lost ground.
"It is easier to lose games for the top four because the other teams are stronger, too," said Benitez, whose side faces a must-win match at home to 14th-placed Wigan on Tuesday night.
"You can see Aston Villa, Tottenham or Manchester City can beat anyone, too, so maybe it will be better for the competition.
"Now we are in a bad position but it can help us because, if other teams continue to lose points, there are 22 games to play so we have to be positive."
Benitez believes his side is close to turning a corner but admits that confidence is the key.
Liverpool were well in control against Arsenal on Sunday, leading 1-0 at half-time, but an unfortunate Glen Johnson own goal sent shockwaves running through the players and the belief visibly drained from them as the Gunners fought back to win 2-1.
"If the confidence is not high a goal can affect the players and that is the situation now," said Benitez, who claimed the current mentality was the only difference between this season and the squad that finished second in the Barclays Premier League in May.
"You can do some things in training to send the right messages.
"People criticise the team and the squad but the majority of players were here last year.
"We have scored 22 goals at home (in eight matches this season) but we are conceding goals, too.
"We have to improve in attack if we can but we have to improve in defence.
"We had three clean sheets in a row and I was really pleased and then we conceded against Fiorentina and then Arsenal.
"But the team is much stronger now, we are stronger at set-pieces and we are defending set-pieces better."
Benitez is confident his side will improve in the last six months of the season, starting at home to the Latics on Tuesday night.
"Every game for us is a game we have to win," said the Spaniard.
"If Wigan come here, play well and get a point, maybe they will be happy but, for us, we will try to do our best and try to win.
"I have to have confidence in my team and I am sure we can do it because I know we are better than the team you are seeing on the pitch.
"I can guarantee we will finish in the top four."
The Reds are currently seventh, five points outside the top four, after a dismal run of only two wins in their last nine Barclays Premier League matches.
However, despite their recent poor form, they have not been cut adrift from Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester City, the other teams realistically chasing Champions League qualification.
And, with leaders Chelsea having lost three times and United and Arsenal four, the Liverpool boss believes there will be plenty more opportunities to reclaim lost ground.
"It is easier to lose games for the top four because the other teams are stronger, too," said Benitez, whose side faces a must-win match at home to 14th-placed Wigan on Tuesday night.
"You can see Aston Villa, Tottenham or Manchester City can beat anyone, too, so maybe it will be better for the competition.
"Now we are in a bad position but it can help us because, if other teams continue to lose points, there are 22 games to play so we have to be positive."
Benitez believes his side is close to turning a corner but admits that confidence is the key.
Liverpool were well in control against Arsenal on Sunday, leading 1-0 at half-time, but an unfortunate Glen Johnson own goal sent shockwaves running through the players and the belief visibly drained from them as the Gunners fought back to win 2-1.
"If the confidence is not high a goal can affect the players and that is the situation now," said Benitez, who claimed the current mentality was the only difference between this season and the squad that finished second in the Barclays Premier League in May.
"You can do some things in training to send the right messages.
"People criticise the team and the squad but the majority of players were here last year.
"We have scored 22 goals at home (in eight matches this season) but we are conceding goals, too.
"We have to improve in attack if we can but we have to improve in defence.
"We had three clean sheets in a row and I was really pleased and then we conceded against Fiorentina and then Arsenal.
"But the team is much stronger now, we are stronger at set-pieces and we are defending set-pieces better."
Benitez is confident his side will improve in the last six months of the season, starting at home to the Latics on Tuesday night.
"Every game for us is a game we have to win," said the Spaniard.
"If Wigan come here, play well and get a point, maybe they will be happy but, for us, we will try to do our best and try to win.
"I have to have confidence in my team and I am sure we can do it because I know we are better than the team you are seeing on the pitch.
"I can guarantee we will finish in the top four."
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