Rafa: City game not decisive

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez claims the clash with Manchester City will not decide who finishes in the top four.

The Reds currently hold fourth spot, but City are level on points and have two games in hands on their Merseyside rivals.

Liverpool travel to Eastlands on Sunday and Benitez admits it is a massive game for his side, but the Spaniard is not looking too far forward.

"City have two games in hand, and that's important - but they have to win them," Benitez told the club's official website. "We just need to concentrate on the next game, which is against them and will be a massive game.

"Still I have the same idea - it will be a long race and we have to keep going.

"It's a very important game but even if we win we'll have to keep winning games."

Benitez added: "I was analysing (the fixture list) a little bit but not too much," he added. "With the experience we have we know to take one game at a time. You cannot waste too much time because you can't control other games.

"We have two or three very difficult games on paper but every game is tough in the Premier League.

"It's important to have all the squad available, not just because players like Torres and Yossi and Johnson are important - but also for the competition in each position."

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