Riise ready for tough run

Next five games are crucial for the Reds

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 19th March 2008

riise john arne

Riise: In confident mood

GRAND SLAM SUNDAY

Watch the Premier League title race unfold live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1 on 23rd March.

First up Manchester United entertain Liverpool, kick-off 1.30pm, followed at 4pm by Arsenal's trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.

Coverage of Grand Slam Sunday gets underway at 1pm.

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John Arne Riise is confident that Liverpool can maintain their recent fine form over the coming weeks.

Since being unceremoniously dumped out of the FA Cup by Championship side Barnsley, the Reds have won their last seven games in a row, cementing themselves in fourth spot in the Premier League and progressing safely through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

With a tough trip to Manchester United this weekend in Grand Slam Sunday, followed by a Merseyside derby with Everton and a triple-header of domestic and European fixtures with Arsenal in their next five matches, Riise knows that the next few weeks will either make or break Liverpool's season.

Title race

"These next couple of weeks are going to be unbelievable," he told the club's official website.

"We are playing top games against top teams but we are looking strong at the moment and so we can't wait for the matches to come around.

"This is the sort of run of games you train for and work towards during the season.

"There's still a lot to play for as we look to secure fourth place and keep going in the Champions League. That's our one chance to win a trophy this season and we want to take it.

"The disappointing thing from our point of view is that we should have been fighting for the title. You won't believe how disappointed we are with some of the points we have thrown away this season, especially at home.

"We've closed the gap on the top teams of late but we still need three teams to mess up if we're going to get back in the title race. For now I think we have to look to finish fourth and that's why the derby next weekend is going to be crucial."

Partnership

Liverpool travel to Old Trafford this weekend looking to avenge the 1-0 defeat they suffered in the reverse fixture earlier in the season and Riise believes that the current form of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard will have the Red Devils running scared.

"Gerrard and Torres have a partnership like I've never seen before," he said.

"The two of them are in unbelievable form at the moment, both looking strong and both scoring goals.

"I wouldn't say I'm surprised with the way Torres is playing because we knew he was a top striker, but sometimes it can take a while to settle in English football. He hasn't needed time at all. I know for a fact that defenders hate to play against him because he's so quick and strong.

"United will definitely be worried about us because we're the form side at the moment, but at the same time we have to respect them because they are a top side also."

Rotation

Riise was also keen to point out that he feels Liverpool's recent resurgence in fortunes is down to Rafa Benitez's rotation policy helping to keep key players fresh.

"It's down to the manager and his rotation," he said.

"Because he changed the team around earlier in the season we're now seeing the rewards of that.

"When you have so many competitions to play in it's important to rotate and that's why the manager did it. He cares about the players.

"Now we don't have as many competitions to go for, that's why you're seeing virtually the same players and the same system from game to game."