Benitez targeting cup success

Benitez: Troubled season

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Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has outlined the FA Cup as being a main priority in their disappointing campaign.

Seven defeats in the Premier League sees the Reds lie seventh in the table and they face an uphill battle to maintain their top four status.

However, after back-to-back wins against Wolves and UEFA Champions League rivals Aston Villa over Christmas, Liverpool have fresh hopes of salvaging their season.

Benitez takes his side to Reading on Saturday bidding for three wins in a row and he admits that after their early Champions League exit, the FA Cup is now high on his agenda.

"The FA Cup is always important, but when you are out of the Champions League it becomes a major trophy," he said.

"The feeling after the win at Aston Villa this week was really good, it can only improve confidence.

"After the way things had been going, we needed to start winning some games in a row. We have now won twice on the trot in the league against Wolves and Villa over Christmas and are aiming to add to that run against Reading.

"We had been very close to some good form, but the confidence is now really high so hopefully we can continue in this way with the same mentality."

Confidence

The Reds boss is reluctant to get carried away by the recent success over Villa, and maintains his side must use their renewed confidence to gain momentum.

"It will be very difficult for us to finish in the top four: Spurs, Manchester City and Aston Villa are all pushing very hard for fourth place.

"We have to keep working and keep going right to the end. We know there will be difficulties, but we must keep our confidence and add to the two wins in two games we achieved over Christmas.

"Now it is the perfect time to go on a winning run, and a victory and good performance at Reading will add to our growing confidence.

"We had to win one, then two and now we want three. If we do that before we face Spurs at Anfield in our next league game, it will be a real boost to our confidence.

"Our fans are still thinking of winning silverware this season, so that means the FA Cup. It is a very important competition for us now.

"We must look at our squad and decide what we are going to do at Reading. We have more training sessions to see how they are, but because the competition has added importance now maybe we will not change too many players.

"We know we are facing Spurs eight days later, but that does give us more time to get players fit so we can field a strong team at Reading.

"We cannot underestimate Reading. It is something you must be very careful about in the FA Cup.

"They are at a difficult time, having changed their manager. They are looking to improve and they will be difficult for us.

"They have players with Premier League experience, and they are working hard as a team."