Rafa bullish on top four chance

Reds boss has confidence despite City form

Last updated: 22nd November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rafa bullish on top four chance

Benitez: Reds will finish in top four

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Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is adamant his side will finish the Premier League in the top four.

The Reds are three places off the UEFA Champions League qualification positions following Saturday's 2-2 draw against Manchester City, which was their second successive draw.

Liverpool have only won once in their last six games but Benitez believes when they reach their top level, they will begin to climb the table.

"City have quality. But if we can improve and play at our top level, we will be in the top four," he said.

"You cannot be happy with a home draw, but to lose three players from your game plan is very difficult.

"And of course we had three players on the bench who have been for treatment in Belgrade and had not been training with the team.

"It is not easy to manage, but the reaction of the players was fantastic. You cannot ask for more from players in such a position."

Injuries

Daniel Agger (concussion) and Ryan Babel (ankle) were forced off at Anfield on Saturday, but Liverpool held on for a draw despite going behind 2-1 to the Blues.

However, Benitez feels his team should have taken all three points against their big-spending opponents, and insists he was not happy with the result.

"We ought to have won it at the end," he added.

"You can't be happy with a draw at home but when you have the injuries we have, it's not easy to manage.

"It's important to win but we were going close until the last minute. We have to think positively and think that when we start winning we can win several games in a row."

Liverpool's next game is a must-win European trip to Debrecen on Tuesday before a crunch clash against Everton in the Merseyside derby next weekend.

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