Martinez backing for Rafa

Roberto Martinez will lead his Wigan side into battle against Liverpool on Wednesday night convinced they will face a team destined for this season's top four.

The Spaniard feels the Reds have too much quality at their disposal to remain outside the Champions League places and has backed them to turn their fortunes around sooner rather than later.

"I still feel Liverpool will finish in the top four," he said.

"Look at their players. They have huge experience. You are not talking about young players or a young team. You are talking about Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher.

"It is probably the most experienced group of players in world football. What is happening at the moment will not affect them."

The Latics boss was also keen to heap praise on his compatriot, Rafael Benitez and feels the Reds' season has been disrupted by injuries to key players.

He added: "Rafael Benitez has huge experience.

"He has been in this situation many times before and he will find the answers. It is just a matter of time.

'What tends to happen in these situations is that you get a little bit of a snowball effect because, before the start of the season, expectations were really high.

'But any squad would be damaged but the number of injuries they have suffered to key players.

'The quality is there. They showed that in the first half against Arsenal yesterday. They have world-class players and they will turn the corner. I have no doubts about it.'