Benitez wants to stay in touch

Rafa Benitez has declared that his side must stay in touch with Premiership runaway leaders Arsenal and Man Utd. Benitez is eager to keep Liverpool in the hunt for the Premiership as it could be all over by January.

With Arsenal taking on Manchester United, Benitez’s side could help their cause with a win that would see them cutting off the deficit on at least one of the top-four rivals.

“It is so important to keep in touch right now,” said Benitez in the Liverpool Daily Post.

“I have talked to the players and I told them that it is clear these games are really important.”

The Reds, who are sixth in the Premiership now, will be hoping to get back injured trio of Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger in three weeks time, but Jermaine Pennant would remain out until into the New Year.

Benitez added: “I have explained how it us really vital to keep close to the top of the table, right now, because we have some key players injured, and when we get players back it will be much better and easier for me.

“It is a big test, especially because these are difficult away games. But we have had big tests before. And the idea is that it will be the same at the end of the season.

“If you say to me at the end of the season we will have an important game because we will be really playing for something, I will be very pleased. So we have to stay close to the top now.”