Benitez: Every week is important
Rafael Benitez
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez accepts it is "win at all costs" for the remainder of their season but he is not placing any special significance on the week ahead.
They have just nine matches remaining in the Barclays Premier League - the first of which is on Monday at home to Portsmouth - and they cannot afford any more slip-ups. There is also a tricky Europa League last-16 second leg to negotiate against Lille at Anfield, where a 1-0 deficit has to be overcome, before they head to Old Trafford on Sunday to play Manchester United.
"It is important to win - if you can play well it will be easier - but the main thing is to win," said the Reds boss, whose long-term future at the club is again the subject of more speculation with suggestions he will quit or be sacked this summer. "Every week is important for a top side."
He added: "Now we are in a position where we have to think about the Europa League or to be in the top four.
"If we are in a better position [by the end of next Sunday] it will be an important week, if we are in a worse position it will still be an important week anyway."
Despite Monday night matches, of which this is the second in succession, meaning Liverpool are always playing catch-up on their other top-four rivals, Benitez claims he and his squad do not pay much attention to the league table.
"The players know every week things can change. It is not helpful to our cause. It is important to concentrate on our next game," said the Spaniard.
"Normally we don't see the table too much so we try to concentrate just on the next game."
Liverpool will be keen for revenge on Pompey after their 2-0 defeat at Fratton Park in mid-December in which midfielder Javier Mascherano was sent off.
Press Association
