Benitez: United win must not be in vain

Rafael Benitez insists Liverpool must put the remarkable victory last week over Manchester United behind them and concentrate on not wasting the momentum.

The Liverpool chief maintains only a victory tomorrow over a flagging Aston Villa will keep the feel-good factor going.

He said: “I know how much winning at Manchester United means to our fans. You only had to be on the motorway coming home with them last weekend to realise that.

“But we must put that result behind us now and concentrate on winning against Villa.

“We are four points behind Manchester United and they have a game in hand, so only by winning every game we have left can we have a say in the title race.”

Benitez has spent the last few days signing and then celebrating his new five-year contract, and has already been actively involved in discussions with agents over extending contracts of his current staff.