Benitez wants to keep momentum going

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wants his side to build on Thursday's Europa League victory domestically.

A 3-1 win against Unirea Urziceni was the first time since late September the Reds had scored more than twice in a game and, after a defeat at Arsenal and a frustrating goalless draw at Manchester City last weekend, Benitez is keen not to lose momentum again.

"We see the Europa League as very important and we will try to progress and hopefully it will be good for this weekend's match against Blackburn," said the Spaniard ahead of Rovers' visit to Anfield on Sunday.

"Always it is important that when you win you have more confidence and it is easier for the manager to send messages and easier for the players to try things.

"I think we need to show we want to progress."

Captain Steven Gerrard has called on the side to show "a bit of bottle" when it comes to attacking.

Despite improving what was a poor defensive record by their standards over recent weeks, critics still complain the Reds do not have enough going forward to really hurt sides.

But Gerrard hopes the players can draw some inspiration from that in their bid to secure Champions League football next season.

"It was slightly worrying that we were not creating enough," said the England international. "To win football matches you have got to create a lot of chances and we did that against Unirea.

"Now we've got to get the balance right between now and the end of the season. We haven't been good enough going forward and we haven't been creating enough, so it was nice to get three goals."

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