Benitez gears up for City encounter

Fri Nov 20 2009 21:18:10

Rafael Benitez acknowledges that Liverpool's clash with Manchester City today will be "make or break" to their hopes of ensuring Champions League football next season.

City, now the world's richest club, have made no secret of their desire to gate-crash the top four and gain a place among the Champions League elite.

At the moment the most vulnerable member of the established 'big four' are Liverpool, who are floundering outside the top six and are also at risk of missing out on the last 16 of this year's Champions League.

The stakes are very high for boss Benitez, who has sent four players - Yossi Benayoun, Albert Riera, Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio - to Belgrade this week for controversial placenta cell treatment on their injuries.

Now all four, plus injured duo Daniel Agger and Steven Gerrard, should be available to face Mark Hughes' side.

Benitez said: "This is a big game, an important game. But then all Liverpool games are important. But this could be described as a make-or-break game for our season.

"We are aware of City's ambitions. They have spent some money on good players and they also have a good manager with experience.

"It will be tough, and important for us to win particularly with the Champions League game away to Debrecen next week. A good win will give us all confidence for that.

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