Rafa Benitez has challenged his players to inflict Manchester City’s first home defeat of the season and make themselves favourites to win the race for the top four.
Liverpool head to Eastlands on Sunday knowing they can ill-afford to slip up against a side who have emerged as the biggest threat to their Champions League aspirations.
Roberto Mancini’s side are a point ahead of the Reds in fourth place and also have a game in hand, which leaves Liverpool with little margin for error.
But Benitez – who is expected to include Yossi Benayoun in his squad for the first time since January 13 – is confident Liverpool will acquit themselves with credit.
Having beaten top four rivals Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur in recent months, Benitez wants to ratchet up the pressure on City by recording another big win.
“We have managed the pressure well,” he said. “But now Tottenham, Villa, City and ourselves are in a position where we have to keep going until the end. Maybe one game can be a big difference, so it’s important to manage the pressure and maybe our experience can help.
“When teams are close in the table and there isn’t a big difference on the pitch, one small detail can change anything.
“Our experience of having been there already could be important. It depends on the players and if they can manage things well.
“Maybe we will be favourites. But there are still plenty of games to go, so we need to keep calm and do our job.”
Liverpool were laboured in beating Unirea Urziceni in the Europa League on Thursday night but Benitez was not too worried about the manner of the 1-0 win. Their patience, ultimately, was rewarded and Benitez has reminded everyone that there are likely to be several more tough fixtures like that between now and May 9.
“We’ve had a lot of games like Thursday when the other team defends well with a lot of people behind the ball,” he said. “You have to stay patient and keep a high tempo.
“It’s the same in the league. In every single game, you have to do the right thing. If you are nervous you will make mistakes. The message is very clear. We have to have a plan and everybody needs to know what to do. But it depends on the players and if they are nervous or not.”
If nerves do creep into Liverpool’s play, it will make it very difficult for them to peg back City but Benitez is not paying any attention to what is happening in Manchester.
“The most important thing for us is not to concentrate on them, but on us,” said Benitez. “If City are not in the top four, then we need to be in a good position and to have the chance to invest in the future.
“Maybe next year another team will have problems and it won’t be City against Liverpool, but someone else.
“But it’s clear that if we get into the top four, then City, Tottenham and Villa will have more problems and will have to push harder if they want to be there.”
Liverpool head to Eastlands on Sunday knowing they can ill-afford to slip up against a side who have emerged as the biggest threat to their Champions League aspirations.
Roberto Mancini’s side are a point ahead of the Reds in fourth place and also have a game in hand, which leaves Liverpool with little margin for error.
But Benitez – who is expected to include Yossi Benayoun in his squad for the first time since January 13 – is confident Liverpool will acquit themselves with credit.
Having beaten top four rivals Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur in recent months, Benitez wants to ratchet up the pressure on City by recording another big win.
“We have managed the pressure well,” he said. “But now Tottenham, Villa, City and ourselves are in a position where we have to keep going until the end. Maybe one game can be a big difference, so it’s important to manage the pressure and maybe our experience can help.
“When teams are close in the table and there isn’t a big difference on the pitch, one small detail can change anything.
“Our experience of having been there already could be important. It depends on the players and if they can manage things well.
“Maybe we will be favourites. But there are still plenty of games to go, so we need to keep calm and do our job.”
Liverpool were laboured in beating Unirea Urziceni in the Europa League on Thursday night but Benitez was not too worried about the manner of the 1-0 win. Their patience, ultimately, was rewarded and Benitez has reminded everyone that there are likely to be several more tough fixtures like that between now and May 9.
“We’ve had a lot of games like Thursday when the other team defends well with a lot of people behind the ball,” he said. “You have to stay patient and keep a high tempo.
“It’s the same in the league. In every single game, you have to do the right thing. If you are nervous you will make mistakes. The message is very clear. We have to have a plan and everybody needs to know what to do. But it depends on the players and if they are nervous or not.”
If nerves do creep into Liverpool’s play, it will make it very difficult for them to peg back City but Benitez is not paying any attention to what is happening in Manchester.
“The most important thing for us is not to concentrate on them, but on us,” said Benitez. “If City are not in the top four, then we need to be in a good position and to have the chance to invest in the future.
“Maybe next year another team will have problems and it won’t be City against Liverpool, but someone else.
“But it’s clear that if we get into the top four, then City, Tottenham and Villa will have more problems and will have to push harder if they want to be there.”
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