Martinez: Fourth yours to lose

Roberto Martinez is convinced the combination of Liverpool’s world class players and top four know-how will ensure they will be playing Champions League football next season.

The Wigan boss is a big admirer of Rafael Benitez's men and has tipped them to hold off the fourth-place challenge of Tottenham, Manchester City and Aston Villa ahead of tonight's crucial Barclays Premier League clash at the DW Stadium.

"They have got great experience in trying to achieve the aim they are looking for and, whoever is going to have that composure and calmness in the next 10 or 11 games, which they have got, it's going to make a big difference," Martinez said.

"Looking at the Liverpool squad and the other squads around them, that position is theirs to lose.

"Looking at the quality of their individuals, you are talking about world-class players, and the experience and know-how of those players, playing together for a long time, and the knowledge of their manager - I think it is for Liverpool to lose, the fourth spot."

Martinez accepts there is an intense pressure on Liverpool to finish as high as possible and sees similarities between himself and Benitez in having to manage the expectation at the opposite end of the table.

"Every football club has different expectations and, in that respect, you have the same pressure to achieve that aim," Martinez said.

"We all know Liverpool is a glamorous football club, it's got a great history and that brings added expectation. In that way, it is always going to be very demanding.

"But, in our situation, we have been through a huge transitional period in terms of the way to play and the way to try to win football games.

"Wigan are in a position now where we have to be successful in our aim of staying in the Premier League to allow us to go onto another level.

"I'm sure, at Liverpool, in a way, they are fighting for the same aim - to try to get into that Champions League spot but then making sure that they can progress onto a different level next campaign.

"It's going to be a game where, for different reasons, the importance of the points is huge. It is vital for both sides that they are on top of their game."