Liverpool Football Club News

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

• Ground:Anfield
• Capacity:45,362

Benitez looks for resolution

19 Apr 2007 - 11:01:01

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Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has urged his side to secure their place in next season's Champions League before their European semi-final first leg showdown with Chelsea.

The Reds are just one win away from sealing their place in the Premiership top four and a place in Europe's premier club competition next season following Wednesday's 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at Anfield.

Steven Gerrard scored both goals for Benitez's side and the Spanish coach has targeted a win over Wigan at Anfield on Saturday so that the Reds can focus their undivided attention on the two games against Chelsea.

Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge for the first leg of their last four encounter next Wednesday.

"We need one more win before we play Chelsea," said Benitez. "That will mean we will be able to concentrate fully on the Champions League semi-final matches.

"And Middlesbrough made things very hard for us. You know that when you play against a side who defend so deep, you have to keep the ball moving to find the opportunities and openings.

"In such situations you need to do your job and the first goal is the key.

"Once we had scored that it meant they had to come out and that created the space we needed."

Benitez also reserved special praise for Gerrard, who started the match playing off lone striker Peter Crouch before reverting to a more regular midfield berth and bagging both goals.

The Reds skipper has now scored 11 times this season.

"Quality players change games and we know that players like Steven can do such things," he continued.

"It was a fine first goal, and it does not matter where we play him - either wide or in the middle - he can produce match-winning situations."