Benitez braced for fixture list

Rafa Benitez admits the coming month's fixtures could rescue Liverpool's season starting with Everton on Saturday.

The Reds welcome their city neighbours to Anfield on Saturday afternoon, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1, with both sides entering the contest in good form.

After the Merseyside derby, Liverpool travel to the Emirates on Wednesday to take on Arsenal with Manchester City their following opponents in the Premier League.

With Saturday's game being an early kick-off, Benitez's side can go fourth ahead of Tottenham at least temporarily, with Spurs playing later in the day, and Benitez is aware of the added importance of the derby.

"We talk about crucial times and this period is very important," said the Reds boss.

"I've spoken with the players and we have been analysing what we have (in terms of fixtures) until the end of the season and this is the most crucial phase.

"We are close to the top four and we cannot make too many mistakes and we play against three teams that are around us.

"It is important to keep winning games to maintain the momentum and it would be fantastic to win all three but you have to start with the first one.

"We want to make sure we get back into the top four and this is the first opportunity to try and do that."

The hosts have had a below-par season to say the least, while Everton have only just gained some consistency after a turbulent start but both sides are unbeaten in the league in 2010.

"Both Everton and us and are on a good run so both will come into the game with confidence," added Benitez.

"But in the past sometimes we were not in a good moment and won and sometimes we were in a good moment and lost.

"A derby is a derby and is different to any other game so form is not the most important thing now."

With red cards a common occurrence in the Merseyside derby, Benitez has called for his side to keep their cool as they take in the passion of the occasion.

"You have to play with passion and your brain and that way you will be better and be able to control the game," said the Liverpool manager, who has lost just two of his 11 Premier League derbies.

"It is important to keep calm and try to play good football. You want to win playing well because that is easier but a derby is more difficult.

"I try to influence the game beforehand but during the game it is difficult because the crowd don't allow you to shout too much and the players cannot hear you.

"The players have confidence and don't want to lose any game but for a local player not to lose this game always is maybe more important," said the Spaniard.

"We know (Steven) Gerrard and (Jamie) Carragher can be an inspiration for the other players because they have passion.

"But we have to be professionals and just think about getting three points and it doesn't matter about the name of the opponents."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.