Benitez: My Biggest Liverpool Derby Yet

The Liverpool manager believes that tonight's Merseyside derby with Everton is the most significant since he arrived at Anfield.

Jan 19, 2009 8:25:06 AM

More On :  Everton, Liverpool, Rafa Benítez
Rafael Benitez - Liverpool (PA)

After four seasons of facing Everton in Merseyside derbies with his Liverpool side, Reds' manager Rafa Benitez believes that tonight's fixture with the Toffees has greater significance than any of the other Mersey tussles he's been involved in.

In previous years, the two clubs have been rivals for a top four place and passage in to the Champions League at the end of the season. This time, for Liverpool, the prize on offer could be much greater.

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A win would see Benitez's men overhaul Manchester United once again at the top of the table, and could represent them taking a mighty step towards their first league title since 1990.

"This kind of game is always very important because it can change everything in terms of the confidence, the mentality and the belief," Benitez told The Liverpool Echo today.

"All derby matches are important but maybe this one is even more so because we are up towards the top of the table.

"It is only January and the league will not be won in this month so we have to remain calm, but this derby could turn out to be really important if we win it because it will give us even more confidence, especially if we also play well.

"We are playing in front of our own fans and I am very confident we can win."

Bentiez's confident stance ahead of tonight's game seems partially born from the fact that Liverpool's Spanish superstar Fernando Torres is expected to be fit and in the starting line-up. The striker has a good record against Liverpool's rivals from across Stanley Park.

"Clearly there are some players who for one reason or another have teams who they score quite a lot of goals against," Benitez added.

"Torres has scored three goals in two matches against Everton so maybe that will give him a little bit more belief than normal."

--Zack Wilson, Goal.com

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