Rafa sure Liverpool can make top four

RAFA BENITEZ still believes Liverpool can claim the final Champions League berth despite admitting his side are now locked in a four-way battle.

Despite a surprise return to action for Fernando Torres, Benitez's men laboured to a dismal goalless draw at near rivals Manchester City yesterday.

With Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa both winning, only a single point separates the four challengers with Liverpool having dropped down to sixth.

And Benitez admits the dire Eastlands stalemate represented a missed opportunity for both his team and City.

"It's not a good result for either team," said the Spaniard. "We both wanted to win.

"You have to think about Tottenham and Villa, it's a race of four teams now. It's important to ensure we get three points in every game. We can't just look at City, Tottenham are there and Villa are there.

"But I have to believe. If the manager doesn't have confidence it is difficult for the players."

The most encouraging aspect of the afternoon for Liverpool was the cameo appearance of Torres from the bench for the final 15 minutes.

Torres has been absent since the FA Cup replay defeat to Reading almost six weeks ago after undergoing knee surgery.

Yossi Benayoun also made his return from the bench yesterday after being sidelined for a similar period with a rib problem.

And with Glen Johnson expected to be back in full training this week, Benitez said: "I have to think about the positives. We were strong and doing well and we had two players coming back.

"I think we have enough quality, Yossi (Benayoun) is coming back, (Fernando) Torres is coming back, hopefully (Glen) Johnson will come back in the next week.

"So we are now bringing players back and the competition will be better for us and hopefully we can improve."

Yesterday's instantly forgettable encounter saw both teams have only one shot on target each.

The nearest Liverpool came was when Martin Skrtel headed Steven Gerrard's corner wide from close range towards the end of the first half, although Benitez believes Benayoun could have had a penalty when the Israeli instead chose to play on when caught by Pablo Zabaleta in the area.

"I am frustrated we couldn't get the winner," said the Anfield manager. "It was a difficult game. Neither team had clear chances. We had more possession and were lacking the final pass in the final third could make the difference.

"Today both teams were defending well and were well-organised. We tried to create and had some chances where the final pass could have made the difference.

"I think at the end we were more in control, passing the ball with (Alberto) Aquilani, I think we had plenty of possession.

"They could be a threat on the counter-attack but we had more control and also the situation with Yossi maybe with the penalty, so I think we were close at the end to winning the game.

"Yossi thought it was a penalty but was trying to play on. Sometimes it is good in terms of fair play and sometimes it is bad for the result. He was trying to play on, you can't blame the player, he was trying to score and go forward."

Liverpool are facing a fine from the Football Association after picking up six bookings yesterday.

However, City's players received none and Benitez said: "I'm surprised we had so many bookings."

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