Source: Daily_Mail
Benitez urges title chasing Liverpool to keep the feel-good factor alive
Rafa Benitez insists Liverpool must put the remarkable victory last week over Manchester United behind them and concentrate on not wasting the momentum. The Liverpool chief maintains only a victory tomorrow over a flagging Aston Villawill keep the feel-good factor going. 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. 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'But we must put that result behind us now and concentrate on winning against Villa. '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.' Buy-buy Rafa: Sir Alex says that Benitez is just a chequebook boss Make it a Rome from home: Draw aids Premier crew but Liverpool land Chelsea LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB 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. 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. He said: 'It is very difficult for them to continue to play at the same high level for a long time. '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. 'But Arsenalare playing better and the situation will become difficult for Villa. But it is still a good season for them.' Great expectations: Benitez believes it is important for the likes of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard to manage the club's silverware ambitionAnd he added: 'The players know they must win every game, that is the only way we can stay close to Manchester United. 'It is important to manage expectations. We must talk only of beating Aston Villa and see where that takes us. 'I have already had a busy day talking to agents and players. It is crucial for the future. 'Next week is an international break so I will have more time to plan for the future. 'But we still must beat Aston Villa, get three points and fight for the title this season.' The distractions for Liverpool are clear, following Friday's Champions League quarter-final draw that paired the Anfield men once again with Chelsea. 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.' But Benitez was pleased the prospect of Liverpool having to play on the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster has now gone. Head-to-head: Chelsea captain John Terry and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard will clash in the Champions League for the fifth successive seasonHe 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.' Liverpool will host Chelsea in the first leg on April 8, with the return on Tuesday, April 14 at Stamford Bridge. Benitez said of the Chelsea showdown: 'Hopefully it won't make a difference to us that the second leg is away. '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.' Liverpool hope to have injured trio Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Yossi Benayoun back in the squad to face Villa. Buy-buy Rafa: Sir Alex says that Benitez is just a chequebook boss Make it a Rome from home: Draw aids Premier crew but Liverpool land Chelsea LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB