Source: Team_Talk
Benitez 'still confident' of fourth
Rafael Benitez is "still confident" Liverpool will finish fourth in the Premier League providing they maintain the form showed against Benfica.[LNB] Benitez's side produced an outstanding performance against the Portuguese outfit on Thursday to overturn a first-leg deficit and power into the Europa League semi-finals.[LNB]Such was the manner of their 4-1 win, which secured a 5-3 aggregate success, their continuing struggles in the Premier League seemed a world away - but reality will soon return.[LNB]Last week's frustrating draw at Birmingham has left the Reds facing an uphill struggle to deliver on Benitez's "guarantee" of Champions League qualification.[LNB]The Spaniard, however, is not giving up and feels the tone has now been set for the final five games of the campaign, beginning with Fulham at Anfield.[LNB]Benitez said: "I think it is important when you are playing well and scoring goals to keep the momentum. Hopefully we can keep this level.[LNB]"The fans and the atmosphere were very good and the players have an extra motivation when they can feel the atmosphere.[LNB]"We know we are in a position that it depends on others making mistakes but we have to do our job.[LNB]"We cannot be watching the others, we have to win our games.[LNB]"We have to concentrate on the next game, get three points and then get ready for the next one.[LNB]"I am still confident if we do our job we will be there.[LNB]"It is really important to score a lot of goals at home. The players will have more confidence and we know we will have to start with it against Fulham."[LNB]Liverpool missed an opportunity to get themselves back within touching distance of the top four as they were held at St Andrew's.[LNB]It was just one of a number of disappointing results for the Reds this term but Benitez is adamant all is not lost.[LNB]He added: "We knew before when we had six games left we could draw only one.[LNB]"Everybody thought of maybe drawing against Chelsea but now we have drawn against Birmingham so we have to win the others."[LNB]Sunday's encounter could be the first of two meetings between the two clubs should both win through to the Europa League final.[LNB]Fulham will play Hamburg in the semis after seeing off Wolfsburg while Liverpool tackle Atletico Madrid.[LNB]Benitez has respect for the achievements of the Cottagers and their manager Roy Hodgson.[LNB]"Hopefully we can see Fulham in the final and there will be two English teams there," he said.[LNB]"That will be very good for England. Fulham are doing very well."
