Liverpool have won only two of their last 11 games and stand five points off Tottenham Hotspur, who occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualification berth.

Fernando Torres will have a fitness test today on his groin problem, with only Ryan Babel (ankle) definitely ruled out of tomorrow’s short trip to Goodison.

And as the injury list starts to finally clear, Benitez believes his team can kickstart their campaign with a third successive Premier League victory at Everton.

"We will win two or three games in a row and everything will be different," said the Spaniard. "And I am 100% convinced that we will finish in the top four, at least the top four.

"We have plenty of room for improvement. Why? Because we are not playing with Gerrard, we are not playing with Torres, we are not playing with (Albert) Riera or Yossi (Benayoun).

"We have had too many problems and if we have Torres fit, (Alberto) Aquilani ready, Gerrard fit, Fabio (Aurelio) fit, we will be much better than we are now and we will finish in the top four.

"I’m not just saying this and I am 100% convinced. Yesterday I had a conversation with some players and they feel we can finish even better than the top four. That is my feeling too, but I didn’t say it. They are also convinced that we are better than we are now.

"I have confidence that things will be different in a couple of weeks. If we win against Everton, it will be easier. I can guarantee we will improve."