Rafa hoping to jump into top four

"This is a great opportunity to make up the difference in matches played, we must be in the top four," said the Liverpool boss.

"This is an important and a tough game, afterwards we are at home to Wigan and we could be in the top four by then. It is crucial that the team concentrate on this situation.

"We can then go to Japan for the World Club Championships thinking only of that trophy and not the league. Our confidence will be high if we can win the three league games before we go."