Benitez concedes top four dream is over

(GSM) – Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has conceded his side’s hopes of finishing in the top four were over following their 0-0 draw with Fulham at Anfield on Sunday.

Benitez had ‘guaranteed’ UEFA Champions League qualification to the Liverpool faithful earlier in the season, but they needed to beat Fulham to keep apace with their rivals.

But the result saw Benitez’s side fall six points behind the current occupiers of fourth spot, Manchester City, who tightened their commanding grip on the position by thumping Birmingham 5-1.

Liverpool were to be frustrated by the resilience of the Cottagers and could not find a breakthrough despite dominating the majority of the match.

And with four games remaining, their Spanish coach admitted he may not be able to deliver his promise.

Benitez said: “It is not in our hands, it depends on the other teams and the difference is too much now, maybe.

“We have to keep going because it is always important to do your best and try to finish as high as possible.

“We will try to win the rest of the games and try to win the Europa League.”

Liverpool now turn their attention to the Europa League, where they face a semi-final date against Atletico Madrid.

Their opponents on Sunday also reached the same stage of that competition this week by seeing off VfL Wolfsburg, and Roy Hodgson’s side will have left Merseyside delighted after repelling the Reds’ onslaught.

But without the injured Fernando Torres, the hosts lacked the guile needed to unlock the Fulham rear-guard and Benitez was disappointed not to have found a breakthrough.

He went on: “I am disappointed because I feel that we had plenty of possession.

“We had good chances and it is a game that is normally 1-0 or 2-0, but we couldn’t score.”

Fulham’s Jonathan Greening could count himself lucky to remain on the pitch after escaping a second yellow card for a barge on Glenn Johnson, however Benitez refused to be drawn on Andre Marriner’s decision not to dismiss the midfielder.

“I will not say too much,” said Benitez. “We still deserved to win with 11 players but it is very clear.”