Liverpool v Everton: LFC victory won't kill off Everton's euro charge

Mar 29 2008

Rafael Benitez does not believe that a Liverpool win in the 207th Merseyside derby tomorrow will kill off Everton’s Champions League challenge.

Liverpool go into the Anfield showdown with a two-point lead over fifth-placed Everton, and victory would stretch that lead to five points with just six games left.

But the Reds boss expects Everton to fight to the very last.

He said: “I do not think that if we win it will finish off Everton’s challenge for fourth spot.

“They have had a fine season and will keep going to the end. We expect that from David Moyes’ teams.

“It means we must keep winning to make sure we are in the top four. A win and a five-point lead will be a good advantage but we have important games, especially away from home, so we know we must keep working hard.

“I enjoy derbies, big games, especially if you win. But we want to win and so do they, and these are the really important games that I enjoy being involved in.”

Liverpool turn their attention to the Champions League trip to Arsenal on Wednesday straight after the derby, and Benitez now plans to use his best side for the rest of the campaign.

He said: “I will not be resting players ahead of the Champions League game at Arsenal.

“We have spoken all season about changes and rotation but we must field a strong team now to make sure we qualify for the Champions League.”

Benitez is happy that top scorer Fernando Torres will be fit for the game after a battering in the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United, and then another midweek bruising against a familiar foe - Italy’s Marco Materazzi, the former Everton player.

Benitez said: “Fernando Torres played 50 minutes for Spain in midweek and did fine, he was up against Marco Materazzi and he had some problems. He was being kicked, but he is okay now.

“Maybe it was not the best preperation. But he was not only playing against Italy, he was playing against Materazzi. That was more difficult, he got a few kicks, but he will be ready.

“He has confidence and goes from strength to strength. He has enough confidence now to score in every game. He has the ability to score 30 goals now this season.”