BENITEZ: LET'S TAKE OUR CHANCE

Rafael Benitez has urged his team to take advantage of their game in hand against West Ham and stake their claim for fourth place.
A Liverpool victory over the Hammers at Anfield on Wednesday night will see Benitez's side overtake Everton on goal difference, and the manager wants his side to start putting the pressure on their rivals in the race for fourth spot.

"It's been really frustrating waiting for this game in hand," said Benitez. "You are always expecting it to come either next week or the week after, but then they said it was going to be in March! Now it has come and we'll be really pleased if we end the game with a win.

"It's a really important game for us, one of our most important of the season. That fourth spot is always important and if we win this game we are there, and everything will depend on us.

"I have confidence we can stay focused on finishing fourth. It's not easy when you play in the Champions League but we have some experience.

"We know we have to concentrate and be focused on every game, and see if we can progress in both competitions.

"It seems like it could be between Liverpool and Everton for fourth place, but Aston Villa also have a lot of confidence and Blackburn won the other day away from home.

"You never know, but maybe you can say that Liverpool, Everton and Aston Villa will be close.

"The derby later this month could be really important, but it depends on the other games before then. We'll have to wait and see the position both teams are in before the game but clearly it will be an important game."

Back in January the Hammers took all three points against the Reds courtesy of an injury time penalty. It was a tough defeat for Benitez to take.

"I was very disappointed after that game," added the Reds boss. "We controlled the last 20 minutes – we attacked and attacked, but then conceded after one of our own corners. It was very frustrating for me.

"The lesson is that sometimes, if you cannot win the game in 90 minutes, you must not lose the game in the last minute.

"West Ham have some good players. Carlton Cole is a target man, and Ashton when he plays. They have good wingers: Ljungberg can get into the box. They have some key players who can be dangerous."