Source: Daily_Mail
Benitez urges title chasing Liverpool to keep the feel-good factor alive
Rafa Benitez insists Liverpool [LNB]must put the remarkable victory last week over Manchester United [LNB]behind them and concentrate on not wasting the momentum. [LNB]The Liverpool chief maintains only a victory tomorrow over a flagging Aston Villa[LNB]will keep the feel-good factor going. [LNB]He said: 'I know how much winning at Manchester United means to our fans. You only had to be on the motorway coming home with them last weekend to realise that. [LNB] Feeling good: Rafa Benitez is encouraging his Liverpool side to maintain their winning ways in order to preserve the club's current feel-good factor[LNB]'But we must put that result behind us now and concentrate on winning against Villa. [LNB]'We are four points behind Manchester United and they have a game in hand, so only by winning every game we have left can we have a say in the title race.' [LNB] Buy-buy Rafa: Sir Alex says that Benitez is just a chequebook boss [LNB]Make it a Rome from home: Draw aids Premier crew but Liverpool land Chelsea [LNB]LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB] Benitez has spent the last few days signing and then celebrating his new five-year contract, and has already been actively involved in discussions with agents over extending contracts of his current staff. [LNB]But the confidence will be shattered if Liverpool cannot beat a Villa side who have struggled of late to keep their own impressive season on the rails. [LNB]He said: 'It is very difficult for them to continue to play at the same high level for a long time. [LNB]'The other teams are top sides and very strong. Villa have had a fantastic season and they are in a very good position, and they must try to stay in contention until the end. [LNB]'But Arsenal[LNB]are playing better and the situation will become difficult for Villa. But it is still a good season for them.'[LNB] Great expectations: Benitez believes it is important for the likes of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard to manage the club's silverware ambition[LNB][LNB]And he added: 'The players know they must win every game, that is the only way we can stay close to Manchester United. [LNB]'It is important to manage expectations. We must talk only of beating Aston Villa and see where that takes us. [LNB]'I have already had a busy day talking to agents and players. It is crucial for the future. [LNB]'Next week is an international break so I will have more time to plan for the future. [LNB]'But we still must beat Aston Villa, get three points and fight for the title this season.' [LNB]The distractions for Liverpool are clear, following Friday's Champions League quarter-final draw that paired the Anfield men once again with Chelsea[LNB]. [LNB]On the draw, Benitez said: 'Manchester United must now be favourites, they have an easier draw than us. Our half of the draw is the more difficult now after this draw.' [LNB]But Benitez was pleased the prospect of Liverpool having to play on the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster has now gone.[LNB] Head-to-head: Chelsea captain John Terry and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard will clash in the Champions League for the fifth successive season[LNB][LNB]He said: 'Obviously we did not want to do that and, with the second leg of our quarter-final now scheduled for London on the 14th, our wishes have been agreed with.' [LNB]Liverpool will host Chelsea in the first leg on April 8, with the return on Tuesday, April 14 at Stamford Bridge. [LNB]Benitez said of the Chelsea showdown: 'Hopefully it won't make a difference to us that the second leg is away. [LNB]'We have to think about the first game at Anfield with our fans behind us and look to get a positive result to take to Stamford Bridge.' [LNB]Liverpool hope to have injured trio Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Yossi Benayoun back in the squad to face Villa. [LNB] Buy-buy Rafa: Sir Alex says that Benitez is just a chequebook boss [LNB]Make it a Rome from home: Draw aids Premier crew but Liverpool land Chelsea [LNB]LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB] [LNB]
