Rafa's pre-Sunderland chat

Rafa Benitez took 10 minutes out of his Sunderland preparations to chat to radio journalists. Here's what he had to say...

On what Wednesday's results did for the Reds' top four hopes...

I had to believe before, and the results on Wednesday confirmed that things can change in one week. The main thing for us is to keep focused on our games and try to win them. We will see what happens with the other teams, but we have to do our job. If we can, I am sure we can be there.

On Liverpool's expectation levels compared to other teams...

When you are a top side and you have been there for years, you approach every game only thinking about winning and getting three points. I think the other teams may have extra motivation at the moment - it is different for them when they are coming from fifth, sixth going forward for fourth place compared to when you have always been in the top four but have problems. That can be the extra motivation they have, but the experience we have will be our motivation too.

On whether Steven Gerrard's approach has changed...

I think the team has had some problems and some players are suffering because we are not playing too many good balls or giving them too many good options. But Gerrard is an important player because he has to create something for the rest of the team. He knows he has to improve, but we have had conversations with the team and everyone knows we have to improve. He is one of the players who is really focused and has a great determination to improve. That is the first thing - if you want to improve, you have to believe you can do it and work hard trying to do so.

On key players lifting the team...

The team has to give chances to players like Torres and then he will score more goals. But when the team needs them, they have to be there. If the other players are not playing well, they (key players) have to lead by example. Always you expect your important players to be there with the rest of the players following them. That is the way if you want to be a strong team.

On Emiliano Insua's form...

He has made some mistakes like the other players, but he has also played some good games. I don't see him as a problem. It is true with Fabio Aurelio we had more experience and different options - we could give a rest to Aurelio and Insua - but that is not the case now, so we have to keep pushing Emiliano. He is at the age to learn. He is young and wants to improve, so we are working very hard with him trying to give him some ideas and advice. I think he is doing well - he is not doing bad.

On whether he has thought of playing Carragher at left-back...

No because Insua can do it well. He is left-footed, so when you think of attacking, he can overlap when he goes forward, cross and be a different option. If you have a right-footed player there, it is always more difficult for them.

On whether 72 points will be enough to finish fourth again this season like Arsenal in 2008-09...

I think this year is totally different. I was watching a programme the other day and it said you can win the title with 86 points. With 86 points last season we finished second, so this year is totally different for both first position and also fourth. We have to keep winning games in a row if we can and see what the other teams do.

On Liverpool's bad luck this season...

We had problems at the beginning of the season with injuries and players coming back late from the Confederations Cup. Afterwards there was the 'beach ball goal', then the injuries to Torres, Gerrard and also Johnson at the same time with the national team - too many things you can put together. These things affected the beginning of the season and the mentality of the players because we were thinking about being contenders, but then we were far away. All of these things together mean it is has been a difficult season, but we have to show character, push and try to do our best until the end.

On whether it is a bad time to face in-form Sunderland...

We are strong. You can talk about the defeat to United, but they are at the top of the table and the difference between us was very, very small - just little things. If we can play our game, I think we can beat anyone - especially at home.

On Mascherano's contract talks...

We are working hard behind the scenes. It is closer and I am happy. The last conversation I had with him was very positive and he knows we are trying to improve the club. It is close and hopefully we can do it sooner rather than later.

On Mascherano's improvement since joining Liverpool...

He has improved a lot. He is a player who is keen to learn and his commitment is 100 per cent, so the fans love him because of this. Also, the staff know that if you try to improve him in a different way, he will listen to you and then try to do what you say.

On signing up key players to new deals...

It was the idea last year to extend contracts and this year it will be the same - to guarantee the spine of the team is there, try to bring in some good players and hopefully improve. If we don't make mistakes in the transfer window and the players we bring in settle down, I think with the group of players we have at the moment we can improve.

On Albert Riera...

We are working with different clubs trying to find a solution at the moment and we will see what happens. I said we will deal with this internally. We will try to do some business if we can.

On what bearing Liverpool's final position will have on the summer's transfer budget...

They told me at the beginning it is not a big difference. Hopefully we can finish in the top four and you don't need me to ask this question again. We have qualified for the Champions League for the last five years, so we know it is important for the club.

On which players will be next to agree new deals...

We have some of them, but I think it is better to keep quiet until we have more or better news.

On the long-term future for the club...

It is the first year I am in charge of the Academy and we are trying to improve and bring in players from the Academy. We will need some time, but we are trying to do this. The reserve team are also doing really well, so these players are the future of the club. In terms of the first-team, trying to guarantee the extensions of some players and bring in the right players means we are trying for the future. I will say again, you can make mistakes sometimes, but at least you have a plan. You have to be ready for two to three years ahead and prepare the squad.

On the injury latest...

The only problems we have are Fabio Aurelio and Martin Skrtel. They are at least two to three weeks away.

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