We need help from others, admits Benitez

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez remains confident his side can secure Champions League qualification but accepts he is relying on their rivals making mistakes.

Sunday’s 2-1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford – their 10th in the league this season – saw the Reds drop to sixth, four points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.

With Manchester City, in fifth, and seventh-placed Aston Villa both having two matches in hand Liverpool’s task is becoming increasingly difficult.

They have seven matches to save their season and Benitez knows they realistically have to win them all.

If they were to do that they would finish the season with 72 points, which was more than enough for Arsenal to clinch fourth last season as they finished nine points clear of Everton.

Of those remaining games, Birmingham away and Chelsea at home present the most difficult challenges.

Tottenham, by contrast, have to play Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in successive matches with a trip to Manchester City on thepenultimate weekend of the season.

City also have to face United and Arsenal in successive weeks, while Villa – currently a point behind Liverpool – have Chelsea, City, Everton and a derby against Birmingham among their fixtures.

“We knew the game against United would be very tough. The question is now about the other teams,” said Benitez.

“Tottenham won at the weekend but we have to keep going. We know they have to make mistakes and we have to keep winning games to reduce the gap and be there.

“There are still a lot of points to be played for so we have to keep going. If we can win our games we will be there at the end. I think we can do it.’’

The defeat at Old Trafford came at the end of a week in which Liverpool had beaten Portsmouth 4-1 and then seen off Lille 3-0 in the Europa League.

And although losing to their arch-rivals was disappointing, Benitez insisted it was not as damaging as some were making out.

“The team was doing well last week, playing well and scoring a lot of goals,” he said.

“The team was not fantastic but it was not worse than United. You couldn’t see the difference in the table out on the pitch.

“I don’t think it is a set-back.”

Meanwhile contract talks with midfielder Javier Mascherano are edging closer to a resolution but Benitez accepts there is still a little more work to do.

The two parties have been talking over a new deal for the Argentina captain for some time and Benitez is confident the matter will be resolved to both their satisfaction.

Mascherano, whose current contract still has nearly two years to run, was a target for Barcelona last summer and Liverpool are keen to tie him to a new long-term contract to prevent another close season of speculation, especially in a World Cup year.

“We were talking, progressing and we’re closer now. Still we need to talk a little bit but we are closer,” said Benitez.

“It would be very important for the club. We have some important players with some years left on their contracts and this could be another one. It’s very important that we’re keeping the spine of the team.’’