Mersey Derby Can Turn Liverpool FC's Season Around - Rafa Benitez

Rafa Benitez today claimed a win in the 213th Merseyside derby could be the result that totally transforms his increasingly confident Liverpool team.

Unbeaten in their last six Premier League games, the Reds will jump back into the Champions League positions – for a couple of hours at least – if they beat Everton at Anfield today.

That, of course, will be easier said than done, as the Blues come into the lunchtime showdown on the back of a nine-match unbeaten sequence and have a number of key players in top form.

Benitez, though, has the suspicion Liverpool are not far from clicking and saw signs in last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Bolton which gave him reason for encouragement.

“We want to make sure we get back into the top four and this is the first opportunity to try and do that,” said Benitez, who will have Fabio Aurelio back in his squad.

“Our aim is to keep the players playing with more confidence. After Everton, we have Arsenal and that will be another big challenge. But it will be much easier if we have got the right result against Everton and another three points.”

But with tests at Arsenal and Manchester City to follow, this, undoubtedly, is Liverpool’s most demanding schedule of the campaign and that is why Benitez has challenged his players to make a statement.

“I’ve spoken with the players and we have been analysing what we have (in terms of games) until the end of the season and this is the most crucial phase,” he added.

“To get a win against Everton and to see the team continue their unbeaten run would give everyone big hope for the rest of the season.”

Though he has not always seen eye-to-eye with David Moyes, Benitez is respectful of the way Everton’s manager has transformed his team.

He expects them to be an even more difficult proposition to the side that went head-to-head with Liverpool at Goodison Park on November 29.

“It is always special for everyone here in the city and both teams are coming into the game on the back of good runs,” he said. “When you play against your nearest rival, it is always important you win but it is all the more vital, as we are in a position where we cannot lose points.

“But you have to remember that Everton want to be challenging for a European place too; it will be a very exciting game and it is massive for everyone involved.

“The derby is special because, when you have a week like this it is all everyone talks about. We need to make sure we are talking about it in the week after, too.”