Rafa Benitez: Derby can confirm LFC's title credentials

Sep 27 2008

RAFAEL BENITEZ believes Liverpool can reaffirm their title credentials by continuing their grip on the Merseyside derby this afternoon.

The Anfield outfit have lost just two of their last 17 meetings with Everton, winning six of their last eight visits to Goodison.

Liverpool, who did the double of their neighbours last season, go into the game having been frustrated at home by promoted Stoke City last Saturday.

Coming just a week after their historic Premier League defeat of Manchester United, it raised fears that Benitez’s side are still incapable of launching a consistent championship challenge.

And the Anfield manager reckons his players can prove the doubters wrong with victory today.

“We knew it was really important to beat United in terms of the confidence of the team,” said Benitez. “But now we know that if we want to be at the top of the table, we have to keep on winning.

“This kind of game, against a rival in a derby, is always a test and we’re going to have to play well to win.