Source: Liverpool_Echo
How Rafa Benitez can still deliver on his promise of fourth place for Liverpool
THE bookies have written Liverpool off.[LNB]They reckon Rafa Benitez's side have slipped up once too often in their desperate bid to bring Champions League football back to Anfield next season.[LNB]The Reds find themselves cast as distant third favourites in a four-way battle for the Premier League's coveted fourth place.[LNB]With just seven games to play their fate is no longer in their own hands.[LNB]A resurgent Tottenham side are in the box seat with Spurs four points clear of the Reds with a game in hand.[LNB]For Liverpool there is no margin for error. All they can do over the coming weeks is focus on securing maximum points and hope their rivals for a place at Europe's top table flounder.[LNB]The stakes are high. Failure to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the 2002/03 season could cost the club upwards of £25million.[LNB]However, falling short is something Benitez is refusing to contemplate ahead of Sunday's clash with Sunderland at Anfield.[LNB]The Spaniard remains bullish that he will still deliver on his well documented promise of a top-four finish.[LNB]'We cannot change anything so we have to move forward,' he said.[LNB]'We have to keep pushing and as a manager you have to believe. I think if we can win all our games we will be there until the end.'[LNB]A glance at the history books and the upcoming fixtures suggests Benitez's faith may not be misplaced.[LNB]During his reign Liverpool have made a habit of finishing campaigns with a flourish.[LNB]Last season the Reds won six and drew one of their last seven games. In 2007/08 they took 17 out of the last 21 points up for grabs and in 2005/06 they signed off by winning seven league games on the bounce.
