Defiant Benitez insists Liverpool will grab fourth

RAFAEL BENITEZ maintains that even if his team had failed to beat Wolves, he would not have reconsidered his claim that Liverpool will finish in the top four as he looks ahead to a crucial game with Aston Villa.

Despite the continued spending of Manchester City and Tottenham, Villa are also strong challengers for the Champions League spots but Benitez feels there is still plenty of time for his team to get their season back on track.

Benitez, who maintains that Fernando Torres will continue to play through his groin problem, said: “We know Aston Villa are in a very good position. They have belief and confidence, but we must try to win and reduce the gap. If we can’t, we still know we have to keep going because it is a long race.