Benitez pleased with attitude

Rafa Benitez believes Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United could present Liverpool with the 'perfect' opportunity to reignite their title charge.

The Reds go into the game at Anfield having lost their last four matches, but the boss admits he has been pleased with the reaction of his players in training this week.
 
Having held a number of meetings with his charges at Melwood over the last few days, Benitez has sensed a steely determination to return to winning ways amongst his squad.
 
"In 25 years (as a coach) you have good moments and bad moments; this is a bad moment but still I have confidence in the squad," said the Reds boss.
 
"It is a question of starting to win again and then everything will change.
 
"We have had some discussions on how to improve things and the conclusion is very simple. We just keep going on to the pitch, giving the players positive advice and say 'Come on, we can do this! We have done it before in the past!'
 
"We have some players who know the only way to improve is by doing it themselves. If we put them all together, the team will play better. They are desperate to improve.
 
"I have been really impressed with the attitude of some of the important players and they are really quite positive. We now need good players on the pitch and good characters."
 
United will arrive at Anfield seven points ahead of Liverpool in the table - a lead the Reds can cut to just four points with a third successive victory over their north-west rivals.
 
"To play against a good team like United could be dangerous but I think it could be the perfect game for us," added the Spaniard.
 
"The motivation will be there. The players know how important it is. We are playing United; our fans will be pushing from the beginning. It will make a massive difference if we can beat United. The mood will change. We have got to send the right messages from the first whistle."