[lfc-news] Benitez: We must treat Arsenal visit like cup final - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 6 May 2005
Benitez: We must treat Arsenal visit like cup final
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ insists Liverpool won't allow their Premiership campaign to
end tamely in the aftermath of Champions League glory.

The Anfield boss today warned his players reaching the European Cup
final won't excuse a timid surrender of fourth spot.

Benitez still believes a final twist in the race for Euro qualification
is possible ahead of Sunday's trip to Arsenal.

"The games against Arsenal and Aston Villa are now our most important
fixtures, not the final," said Benitez. "It's going to be difficult
against Arsenal, but we have two games to get into the top four and then
we'll have 10 days to prepare for the final.

"I've told the players not to think about the final until after these
two games. We must be concentrating on the league.

"If we win our last two games we could be in the top four and then we'll
be even happier before we go to Istanbul.

"To win trophies in the future means playing to a high level in every
game, not just in Europe. We can't think it's okay to come fifth just
because we've reached the final. We must try to finish in the top four.
If we win both our games, it's possible."

Benitez will welcome back Xabi Alonso and Fernando Morientes ahead of
the trip to London.

The Liverpool squad returned to training today after 48 hours rest
following their midweek efforts.

Just two games from the end of the domestic season, Benitez has a
practically fully fit squad to choose from.

Only Chris Kirkland, Josemi, Neil Mellor and Florent Sinama-Pongolle
remain on the injured list.

Arsenal will be without Thierry Henry (groin) and Freddie Ljungberg
(hip) for both Sunday's game and the midweek visit of Everton. Both
players are fighting to be fit for the FA Cup Final against Manchester
United on 21st May.

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