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Rafa Benitez is focused on top four challenge

Feb 23 2008

by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

 

Rafa Benitez

RAFA BENITEZ today called on his players to put their midweek Champions League exploits behind them and focus on getting Liverpool back into the Premiership top four.

Though delighted with the win over Inter Milan, the Reds boss knows Liverpool have to get back to winning ways in the league if they are to see off the challenge of Everton, Manchester City and Aston Villa and secure fourth place.

And he wants the winning run to begin today when Liverpool take on Middlesbrough at Anfield.

“We need to finish in the top four so we need to start winning,” he said. “We have to approach this game by keeping our focus and concentration in the Premier League because our priority has to be to think about just one competition at a time.

“We have to try to get ourselves back into the Premier League and then, afterwards, we will think again about Inter Milan.”

After today’s game, Liverpool have three more league fixtures before the second leg of the Champions League tie against Inter.

And Benitez is looking for a maximum points haul from matches against Boro, West Ham and Newcastle at home and Bolton away.

He said: “We have four games to play in the league before we play again in the Champions League and we must be totally focused on these games.

“If we can win a lot of them I think we will be closer to where we want to be and our idea is to finish in the top four.

“We have confidence because we have enough quality in the squad. But we know it is a difficult situation because there are other teams who are close.

“Everyone knows we need to improve, especially at home, where we have had some problems. But if we play like we did on Tuesday night with passion and moving the ball well then I will be happy.

“If we can win these games then we will go to Milan with much more confidence.”

Today’s game comes too soon for Daniel Agger, but the Danish international is edging closer to his much anticipated return to first team action.

Having stepped up training at Melwood this week, Agger has now been given clearance to start playing games.

Benitez will monitor his progress closely with a view to giving Agger a run out for the reserves against Manchester United on Tuesday night.

He said: “Agger is nearly fit. He can start playing but is not ready for a full 90 minutes so he will not be in the squad against Middlesbrough.”

 

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