Rafael Benitez sees Liverpool's FA Cup tie at Reading on Saturday
evening as another stepping stone on the road to salvaging their
season.
Their dismal form before Christmas saw an early exit from the
Champions League, while they slipped to a league position that
seriously threatens any chance of a return to Europe's elite
competition next season.
But back-to-back victories over the festive season have been
grasped at by Benitez as proof that the situation at Anfield is
improving. And if Liverpool can beat Championship side Reading in
the third round and make it three wins on the trot for the first
time since September, Benitez will start to believe his luck is
turning.
Liverpool will be without the suspended Javier Mascherano,
while full-back Glen Johnson has been told he will be out for at
least a month with a torn medial ligament in his right knee.
With crunch Premier League games on the horizon, Benitez, who
is being linked with Atletico Madrid winger Maxi Rodriguez, would
normally be expected to make wholesale changes for a cup tie
against lower division opposition. But the Spaniard sees no reason
to tinker with a side which may finally have found its feet.
"The feeling after the win at Aston Villa this week was
really good, it can only improve confidence," he said. "After the
way things had been going, we needed to start winning some games in
a row. We have now won twice on the trot in the league against
Wolves and Villa over Christmas and are aiming to add to that run
against Reading.
"We had been very close to some good form, but the confidence
is now really high so hopefully we can continue in this way with
the same mentality."
The real prize for Benitez, though, is still a top four
finish, so a run of victories to keep form and confidence high is
imperative. He said: "It will be very difficult for us to finish in
the top four: Spurs, Manchester City and Aston Villa are all
pushing very hard for fourth place.
"We have to keep working and keep going right to the end. We
know there will be difficulties, but we must keep our confidence
and add to the two wins in two games we achieved over Christmas.
"Now it is the perfect time to go on a winning run, and a
victory and good performance at Reading will add to our growing
confidence.
"We had to win one, then two and now we want three. If we do
that before we face Spurs at Anfield in our next league game, it
will be a real boost to our confidence."
Benitez promises a strong side at the Madejski stadium, and
that suggests that Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will be
involved.
He said: "The FA Cup is always important, but when you are
out of the Champions League it becomes a major trophy.
"Our fans are still thinking of winning silverware this
season, so that means the FA Cup. It is a very important
competition for us now.
"We must look at our squad and decide what we are going to do
at Reading. We have more training sessions to see how they are, but
because the competition has added importance now maybe we will not
change too many players.
"We know we are facing Spurs eight days later, but that does
give us more time to get players fit so we can field a strong team
at Reading."
Mindful of his experience in losing at Burnley in his first
taste of the FA Cup as Liverpool manager, Benitez added: "We cannot
underestimate Reading. It is something you must be very careful
about in the FA Cup.
"They are at a difficult time, having just changed their
manager. They are looking to improve and they will be difficult for
us.
"They have players with Premier League experience, and they
are working hard as a team."
