Liverpool Football Club News

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

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Rafa still chasing top-four spot

14 Dec 2009 - 08:34:27

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Rafael Benitez has dismissed suggestions that Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Arsenal is a massive blow to Liverpool's top-four chances.

Andrey Arshavin returned to haunt Benitez's side for the second time in eight months at Anfield as his second-half wonder-strike saw the Gunners heap more misery on the Reds.

The Russia ace scored all four Gunners goals in a 4-4 draw in April and hammered home after 58 minutes to complete a comeback after a Glen Johnson own goal had cancelled out Dirk Kuyt's first-half strike.

But despite Liverpool failing to close the five-point gap on fourth-placed Aston Villa, Benitez is still confident of finishing a turbulent season in the Champions League qualifying places.

"The target is still the same," he said. "Look at the next game and aim for the top four. It is the same situation.

"We have to keep going, try to improve and win our games. If we play at the same level that we did in the first half, I am sure we will win more games.

"The fans and the players are disappointed. We have to start working with the players and do things in the right way.

"Some players are coming back and they need to improve their match fitness. The positive is the first half, the negative is the lack of confidence we showed in the second half."