Benayoun still believes in top four finish

(GSM) – Yossi Benayoun insists no one at Liverpool is prepared to give up on any hopes of securing a top four finish until it is mathematically impossible.

The Reds closed in on fourth placed Tottenham Hotspur by beating West Ham United on Monday night. However, the gap remains five points and they only have three matches left to play and the White Hart Lane side have a game in hand.

Benayoun acknowledges finishing amongst the leading quartet in the Premier League will be difficult but the Israeli international insists Liverpool are not prepared to give up the fight.

“Mathematically we can still get fourth place, but realistically we know it will be very difficult,” he said at the club’s official website.

“We have to try to do our best, finish as high as possible and if we can get fourth, it will be great. If not, at least we know we have tried our best. We have try to win all our games and maybe we will get a little bit of luck and get fourth place.”

Liverpool will now turn their attentions to the Europa League and Thursday’s semi-final, first leg clash with Atletico Madrid in Spain. Success at the European front could be the season’s saviour for Rafael Benitez’s side and Benayoun believes Monday’s win could increase their chances at the Vicente Calderon.

“It was important to win against West Ham after the disappointing result against Fulham and also to boost our confidence before Thursday,” he said. “I am very confident we can get a good result. We have proved before we can get results in Europe away from home.

“We know we will be playing a good, talented side with a lot of very good players in attack, but we believe in our team.

“We will go and try to win the game and bring a good result back to Anfield for the second leg. I am really confident we can do it.”