Lucas Leiva is hoping Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Wolves will
provide the Reds with the springboard to mount their bid for a
top-four finish.
Rafael Benitez's side moved up to seventh in the Premier
League table on Boxing Day courtesy of their hard-fought home
triumph over Mick McCarthy's 10 men, and visit fourth-placed Aston
Villa on Tuesday night looking to finish 2009 on a high.
"We are happy because we really needed the three points,"
Lucas told the club's official website. "I think we played well and
deserved to win. Now we have to build some momentum.
"We have an important game with Villa and we know that if we
beat them we will be closer.
"Like I have said before, every game is like a cup final for
us and we must keep working hard to try and win some matches in a
row.
"Villa will be a really difficult game and we don't have too
much time to recover, but we will make sure we are ready and try to
get the three points."
Martin O'Neill's side played on Sunday, going down 3-0 at
Arsenal, and therefore have even less time to rest. Cesc Fabregas
came off the bench to inspire the Gunners to victory at the
Emirates Stadium. Villa - who have beaten Chelsea, Manchester
United and Liverpool this season - looked dangerous on the break
but could not make the most of their pressure midway through the
second period.
Liverpool, meanwhile, required second-half goals from Steven
Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun to defeat Wolves, and they only came
once the visitors had been reduced to 10 men.
Stephen Ward was eventually penalised for a second bookable
offence, referee Andre Marriner at first getting the wrong man and
cautioning Christophe Berra. Liverpool players persuaded the
official to check with a linesman, the error was corrected and the
hosts were able to take full advantage of the situation.
Lucas admitted the red card was the turning point. "When you
have one player more, it is easier," said the Brazilian. "They were
then forced to play with one striker. That worked in our favour and
I think it was the right decision.
"After that we kept the ball better, created more chances and
scored the two goals." He added: "When you aren't winning or
playing as well as you can then you are going to get criticism,
that's normal.
"We know we have a good squad and a good team. The key is to
get our confidence back for the rest of the season."
