Pepe Reina believes Liverpool cannot afford to fall too far behind Manchester United ahead of the crunch clash between the pair next month.
Rafael Benitez’s side face the champions at Old Trafford on March 14 for a meeting that could go some way towards determining the destiny of this season’s Premier League crown.
United currently lead their second-placed opponents by two points with the added luxury of a game in hand.
Liverpool have kept pace with Sir Alex Ferguson’s men in recent weeks with late winners against Chelsea and at Portsmouth.
And goalkeeper Reina admits it is imperative United are not allowed to extend the gap ahead of the forthcoming Old Trafford showdown.
“All we can do is concentrate on our own game, keep getting good results and then try to take points from them when we go to Old Trafford next month,” said the Spain international.
“Fernando Torres said recently we have to be close to them when that match comes along, and I agree with that.
“That might mean being just a point or two behind them, although obviously it would be even better if we were top.”
Reina added: “Whatever happens, we have to go into that game still with a chance of winning the league.”
Meanwhile, Fabio Aurelio believes that while Benitez’s selection policy has caused consternation among some critics recently, it has the favour of his players.
Benitez was panned by a section of pundits last week for his starting line-up against Portsmouth, despite the fact Liverpool won 3-2.
And Aurelio said: “The boss had problems in Spain, too, with people saying he makes too many changes.
“But he is just the same now. I have been with him a long time so I know his methods are like that. He always does what is best for the team.
“He has a personality which doesn’t mind what people think, which is good for the team.
“We can fight for the title, and we can win the title.
“If we do then the boss will be the best coach ever. But if he doesn’t people will try to say it is because of squad rotation.”
The defender added: “The results in football are always the important thing and we got a good result at Portsmouth. We were very happy with the result.
“People don’t understand the changes that he made, but he knows how the players are feeling. He knows who is tired and who is not, and he knows how to use his squad.
“We know when he selects his team for a game, it will be the best players at that moment to do the job. We are with him.”
Rafael Benitez’s side face the champions at Old Trafford on March 14 for a meeting that could go some way towards determining the destiny of this season’s Premier League crown.
United currently lead their second-placed opponents by two points with the added luxury of a game in hand.
Liverpool have kept pace with Sir Alex Ferguson’s men in recent weeks with late winners against Chelsea and at Portsmouth.
And goalkeeper Reina admits it is imperative United are not allowed to extend the gap ahead of the forthcoming Old Trafford showdown.
“All we can do is concentrate on our own game, keep getting good results and then try to take points from them when we go to Old Trafford next month,” said the Spain international.
“Fernando Torres said recently we have to be close to them when that match comes along, and I agree with that.
“That might mean being just a point or two behind them, although obviously it would be even better if we were top.”
Reina added: “Whatever happens, we have to go into that game still with a chance of winning the league.”
Meanwhile, Fabio Aurelio believes that while Benitez’s selection policy has caused consternation among some critics recently, it has the favour of his players.
Benitez was panned by a section of pundits last week for his starting line-up against Portsmouth, despite the fact Liverpool won 3-2.
And Aurelio said: “The boss had problems in Spain, too, with people saying he makes too many changes.
“But he is just the same now. I have been with him a long time so I know his methods are like that. He always does what is best for the team.
“He has a personality which doesn’t mind what people think, which is good for the team.
“We can fight for the title, and we can win the title.
“If we do then the boss will be the best coach ever. But if he doesn’t people will try to say it is because of squad rotation.”
The defender added: “The results in football are always the important thing and we got a good result at Portsmouth. We were very happy with the result.
“People don’t understand the changes that he made, but he knows how the players are feeling. He knows who is tired and who is not, and he knows how to use his squad.
“We know when he selects his team for a game, it will be the best players at that moment to do the job. We are with him.”
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