Benitez: beating United would be ‘a real boost’

RAFAEL BENITEZ believes sheer will-power can drive Liverpool towards their objectives this season.

The European champions produced a hugely significant performance to beat Arsenal on Tuesday to go 10 points clear of the Gunners, leaving Arsene Wenger’s side struggling to claim a Champions League spot.

Liverpool showed the experience of their European triumph last season has taught them how to hold their nerve and maintain total concentration in the crucial last minutes of a match.

Liverpool have now cemented themselves in third spot and are three points behind Manchester United, who they meet in the FA Cup fifth round at Anfield on Saturday.

Watching United chief Sir Alex Ferguson may have noted Liverpool have acquired a harder edge to their play since losing in injury time at Old Trafford on January 22 through a shocking lapse in collective concentration at a late free-kick.

Successive 1-0 wins over Wigan and Arsenal have given Liverpool hope their mini-slump has ended.

Benitez, who has a doubt over Xabi Alonso’s fitness for the cup tie after suffering a heavily-bruised leg against Arsenal, said: “We were creating the chances, controlling the game and doing well. What we had to do was make sure they could not hit us on the counter attack in a situation where we were not able to score.

“That is the concentration needed to win matches at this level. I know the players are tired after so many games, but their minds must not be tired.

“We now will go into the FA Cup tie with Manchester United with more confidence, they are close to us too in the league so if we can beat them as well it will be a real boost for us.

He added: “Last season we had problems and it was difficult sometimes to keep our concentration at a high level. This season we have learned to do that, the team can go forward now.

“Some players were really tired against Arsenal, and in the last 15 minutes it is difficult to keep going at the same level and keep concentration and an alert mind.

“When the team is tired, the players with more quality make the difference. A player like Thierry Henry can do a lot of damage on the counter attack in such situations.

“But we had to keep going, keep him under control and kept looking for what we wanted in the end.”

Benitez thinks Liverpool can do better than fifth place this season.

“If we can finish second then it will be fantastic and if not then we will keep going right to the end to see where we can go.

“At the moment it is too soon to talk about it, there are lots of games to play and lots of points to play for.

“We know that Bolton have two games in hand on us and we know that West Ham, Tottenham and Arsenal are close as well.”