RAFA: VICTORY WOULD BE MAJOR BOOST

Jimmy Rice 19 January 2007 Rafa Benitez admits victory over Chelsea could give the Reds a major boost in their quest for Premiership and Champions League glory.

The Spaniard knows victory would leave Liverpool just five points behind second-placed Chelsea - but he believes it could also lift morale as his side enters a crucial stage of the campaign. "For us, to win this game would be a boost for the rest of the season. We know we are really close, and if we win people will start talking about the Premiership and second position," said Benitez. "It's a really important weekend for us, and also because the other game is between Arsenal and Manchester United. For the four teams it's really important because you can see a big difference depending on the results."