BENITEZ TARGETS FOURTH AHEAD OF CHELSEA TIE
Rafael Benitez wants Liverpool to have fourth place in the Barclays Premier League wrapped up before they take on Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
The Reds boss is hopeful a Chelsea win at Everton on Thursday coupled with a Liverpool triumph at Fulham will give them an almost unassailable lead over the Toffees and provide his players with the perfect boost going into next week's first-leg clash with Avram Grant's men at Anfield.
"We need now to make sure of fourth spot before we play Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals," said Benitez.
"It needs to be out of the way so that everyone can concentrate on those two matches.
"We have no control over what Everton do in their game at the end of the week (at home to Chelsea) but we would hope that a win at Fulham would give us fourth spot."
If the above mentioned results were to go Liverpool's way it would see them move eight points ahead of Everton with just three games remaining.
That in itself would not guarantee the Reds of fourth spot but it would give them a huge advantage and allow them to turn their focus on the last four meeting with Chelsea and a potential Champions League final in Moscow on May 21.
"We have not quite secured fourth place yet," Benitez continued. "We need to keep going and win our next match at Fulham.
"I am not really worried about chasing third place now, let's just prepare the players for our next game.
"We must only think of finishing in the top four. That, and progress in the Champions League, is our priority."
The Reds are currently five points ahead of Everton courtesy of Sunday's 3-1 win over Blackburn - a result that, once again, saw both Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard on the scoresheet.
The duo have now fired a combined total of 51 goals in all competitions this season and Benitez feels it shows his side have more of an attacking threat this year.
"I am pleased that Steven and Fernando have now scored 50 goals between them this season," Benitez added.
"We have now scored more goals in a league season than at any time since I have been manager, so that shows our improvement."
Paul Hassall 14 April 2008
The Reds boss is hopeful a Chelsea win at Everton on Thursday coupled with a Liverpool triumph at Fulham will give them an almost unassailable lead over the Toffees and provide his players with the perfect boost going into next week's first-leg clash with Avram Grant's men at Anfield.
"We need now to make sure of fourth spot before we play Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals," said Benitez.
"It needs to be out of the way so that everyone can concentrate on those two matches.
"We have no control over what Everton do in their game at the end of the week (at home to Chelsea) but we would hope that a win at Fulham would give us fourth spot."
If the above mentioned results were to go Liverpool's way it would see them move eight points ahead of Everton with just three games remaining.
That in itself would not guarantee the Reds of fourth spot but it would give them a huge advantage and allow them to turn their focus on the last four meeting with Chelsea and a potential Champions League final in Moscow on May 21.
"We have not quite secured fourth place yet," Benitez continued. "We need to keep going and win our next match at Fulham.
"I am not really worried about chasing third place now, let's just prepare the players for our next game.
"We must only think of finishing in the top four. That, and progress in the Champions League, is our priority."
The Reds are currently five points ahead of Everton courtesy of Sunday's 3-1 win over Blackburn - a result that, once again, saw both Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard on the scoresheet.
The duo have now fired a combined total of 51 goals in all competitions this season and Benitez feels it shows his side have more of an attacking threat this year.
"I am pleased that Steven and Fernando have now scored 50 goals between them this season," Benitez added.
"We have now scored more goals in a league season than at any time since I have been manager, so that shows our improvement."
Paul Hassall 14 April 2008
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