Rafa on Chelsea and injuries

Maxi Rodriguez and Jamie Carragher could both face a race to be fit for the final Barclays Premier League match of the season at Hull City.

The duo were substituted after picking up knocks in Sunday's 2-0 home defeat against Chelsea and boss Rafael Benitez admitted they may well miss the clash at the KC Stadium on May 9.

Benitez told his post-match press conference: "Maxi had a problem with his adductor and Carra twisted his ankle. I shouted Yossi to get back and cover but he couldn't get back in time, so it was disappointing to concede the second goal.

"We don't know if they are serious. Now we have to wait and see what the doctors say. With Maxi, I don't think it is (serious), but with Carra we do not know."

The Reds' hopes of finishing in the top four were ended after goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard gave Chelsea victory at Anfield.

Benitez felt the pattern of the game was similar to that of the whole season, feeling a mix of mistakes and injuries cost his side at crucial points.

"We approached the game trying to win," he said. "We are disappointed because it was an equal match, but then we conceded the goal and then it changed. We had to win and go forward and with the pace they have up front it was difficult for us.

"After that we had a problem with Carra and Maxi has been the same all through the season with problems on the pitch. Then we conceded the second goal and normally that is the end against a side like Chelsea."

He added: "Chelsea are a good team. They were at the top and a number of points ahead. They lost some points recently but they showed good character and scored seven goals against a good Stoke team. They are in this position and I do not know if they will finish top, but they are a good team."

The defeat leaves Liverpool in seventh place in the table and the boss acknowledged that it has been a disappointing campaign overall.

"It's not the best," he admitted. "Everyone was expecting us to be at the top of table and to be contenders but we had too many problems and we couldn't. We were in the semi-final of the Europa League on Thursday and had a difficult game today - you could see the problems that we had.

"You have to be disappointed when you can't win and you are not close to the top four. Now we must prepare for the next game."

Following the match the Liverpool players took to the field for a lap of honour, a walk that Benitez felt was particularly fitting given the way the fans have stood by the team this season.

"We had to say thank you to our fans," he said. "It's been a very difficult season and they were supporting the team. We have to say thank you for their support because it has been more difficult this year than in other years."