[Mighty T.A.L.]

Benitez eager to secure Champions League place as soon as possible

Rafael Benitez has urged his Liverpool team to secure a top-four finish as soon as possible – so they can then focus their attentions on the Champions League.

Benitez’s side now stand five points ahead of Arsenal and a further two clear of fifth-placed Bolton Wanderers, with six games remaining.

Liverpool could conceivably have ensured qualification for next season’s Champions League by the time the semi-finals of the current competition take place at the end of the month.

And Benitez said: “It’s clear that if we win more games as quickly as possible, we can get that top four finish and then focus on the Champions League.

“In the first half we had a plan and it was clear we needed to play on the counter attack. Reading were going forward and pushing high, and that gave us the chance to play on the break.

“We maybe should have been 2-0 up at the break, we had some breaks and the final pass was very close to coming off.

“But then we conceded the goal and we needed to change our style of football, and we then had more control, more possession and more chances.”

Arbeloa’s opener came when the full-back embarked on a 70-yard run, played a one-two with Peter Crouch and clipped the ball beyond Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.

And Benitez said: “The way Arbeloa put the ball away, I thought he was a striker. We knew that he was a player that could go forward with the ball.

“The first pass he made was a bad one as Bellamy was free at he ended up giving it to Crouch, but at the end of the day it was important goal, and it was also good for him and his confidence.”

Liverpool are expected to secure their place in the last four of the Champions League on Wednesday at home to PSV Eindhoven, having won 3-0 in Holland in the first leg.

But Benitez said: “We must approach the game with caution. If they score an early goal they will continue going forward and maybe your players will get nervous. We must approach it like we’re playing Barcelona – trying to win.

“I don’t think there’s any more pressure on us because we are winning. Over-confidence can be a problem, though. If we aim to win, it’ll be easier for us.

“We played against PSV with Kone and Alex playing for them in the group stage, and we beat them 2-0.

“If we can keep the momentum then we will be fine. The team is physically in good shape now. People talk about the rotation policy, but now you can see the difference in the players.”

Source: icLiverpool