Reds on a high

Rafael Benitez hopes Liverpool can retain the feel-good factor that has changed the whole atmosphere at the club following Sunday’s triumph over champions Manchester United.

But the Liverpool manager confirms he will make several changes for tonight’s Carling Cup fourth-round tie at Arsenal, with Alberto Aquilani set for his debut following his £20m move from Roma in the summer.

Steven Gerrard is still out, while Javier Mascherano is serving a one-match suspension.

But Benitez will have Aquilani available – probably as a second-half substitute - while defenders Andreas Dossena and Sotirios Kyrgiakos have recovered from injuries and are in the squad.

But the memory of Sunday’s morale-boosting victory that did so much to lift the gloom at Anfield is still strong.

Benitez said: “I was really proud after the game. I knew beforehand we were training well and the mentality was good, and the atmosphere before the game with ’You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and the fans was fantastic.”