Liverpool winger Albert Riera has conceded Sunday's clash with Chelsea has now become a 'must-win' game.
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Liverpool winger Albert Riera has conceded Sunday's clash with Chelsea at Anfield has now become a 'must-win' game for both sides.
With Manchester United in empathic form and top of the table from Chelsea and Liverpool by five points, neither club can afford to drop points too regularly.
Liverpool have floundered of late in drawing far too many games, with Everton and Wigan both scoring at the death to deprive Rafa Benitez's side three-point hauls.
Riera admits nine draws in the league this season, compared to United's five and Chelsea's six, is a statistic that needs addressing, but has laughed off talk of a crisis at Anfield following a number of highly idiosyncratic Benitez outbursts.
No crisis
"Liverpool are not in crisis. Now it is possible to win the three big competitions and the fans have confidence in us," Riera told
skysports.com.
"This match against Chelsea is very important for our future in the League. If we want to continue in the race for the title we are obliged to win.
"Any other score will be very negative for our aspirations.
"I believe that it is possible to defeat the Blues but it's necessary to avoid conceding a goal during the last minutes, like what happened against Everton and Wigan.
"The draws have damaged our season in the Premier League. We can still catch Manchester United and this is our challenge from this moment."
Must win
Riera claims Liverpool will be being going all out for the win on Sunday, determined as they are to close the gap on in-form Manchester United.
"From this game on our obligation is to win each match in the league and to transmit the maximum pressure on United," he added.
"The danger from Chelsea is with the ball. If the Blues control the game we will suffer but I am convinced that Liverpool will go onto the field using head and heart.
"This is a decisive match and it is a necessity to triumph.
"We obtained the victory in London and it also possible to repeat the experience at home."
