Rafael Benitez believes the derby success against bitter local rivals Everton has sent Liverpool’s confidence soaring ahead of their Champions League showdown with Arsenal.
The Anfield mens’ 1-0 triumph over the Toffees was the 12th league double they have achieved over their neighbours, and came at the perfect time ahead of a demanding triple-header against the Gunners.
Liverpool travel to the Emirates on Wednesday for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, are back in north London on Saturday for a Premier League clash, and then meet the Gunners again next Tuesday in the Champions League second leg at Anfield.
Benitez, who believes the win over Everton was “the perfect comeback” from the mauling at Old Trafford, admits his concerns over numerous injury and tiredness problems, disturbingly including skipper Steven Gerrard and 28-goal top scorer Fernando Torres.
But he rates the Merseyside derby victory which leaves Liverpool five points ahead of Everton in the race for fourth spot and Champions League qualification for next term as the perfect boost ahead of a challenging seven days.
Benitez said: “After the defeat against Manchester United, to beat our closest rivals means that we will go into the games with Arsenal with more confidence.”
The Spaniard will bring Javier Mascherano straight back into the engine room of his side at the Emirates, the Argentinian being banned from Sunday’s collision with Everton after the controversial red card against Manchester United at Old Trafford the previous weekend.
And he was aware that Liverpool needed to re-establish their image as one of the Premier League’s best behaved sides following the Old Trafford uproar.
He said: “After what happened in Manchester, with the defeat and red card for Mascherano, we needed to respond. We needed to show discipline, which has not been a problem for us for some years now.
“This was the perfect comeback for us in light of what has happened.”
Another key date this week will be Mascherano’s personal hearing in London on Friday to answer the FA charge that followed Liverpool’s first Premier League red card in two years.
The Anfield men will attempt to argue that any further punishment should be kept to a minimum - they hope just a one-game extra ban - because of the player and club’s previously good disciplinary record.
But they have privately accepted that Mascherano will certainly be banned again from Saturday’s league game.
But he can play in both legs of the European tie, and was clearly missed against Everton where Brazilian youngster Lucas Leiva was frequently overpowered.
Liverpool, who have not won in their last eight visits to Arsenal but lost only three of their last 22 in all competitions, go to the Emirates on a high.
Benitez said: “It was important to do the double over Everton for our fans, but the victory was important for the team and the club.
“The team showed character, after what happened at Manchester United, and certainly in the first half we showed real quality as a team.
“After the defeat against Manchester United, to beat our closest rivals means that we will go into the games with Arsenal with more confidence.
“There were a lot of positives, Jose Reina’s 54th clean sheet and Fernando Torres’ 28th goal, such quality is the key to the next few weeks.
“Steven Gerrard is also crucial in the role he plays, and the fact that we have Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt now giving us real balance in the side.
“Earlier in the season it was not as easy, but we have now started to transfer what we practice in training to matches. And the arrival of Martin Skrtel has given us better options at the back.
“We will have to see whether we are now able to field an unchanged side for the Champions League.”
He added: “We have players who are struggling with kicks and knocks, and some are tired after the internationals and now the Everton match.
“Torres, Lucas, Xabi (Alonso) and Steven (Gerrard), Babel, they all have some problems but we will have to see how they are in a couple of days’ time.
“But we know that Fernando is on fire, we want chances to fall to him, we want him to be in the right places in the box. And we will have Mascherano back for the European tie.”
