Rafael Benitez has urged Liverpool to show a more ruthless streak in the attacking third when they face Everton in the Merseyside derby on Saturday.

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The Reds boss has been pleased by the gradual improvement his side has shown since the turn of the year and hopes they can build on the defensive meanness shown in a six-match unbeaten run, by recapturing the offensive prowess that saw them challenge for the title last term.

"You have to keep analysing the big picture," he said. "If every week you think it is one step forward then one step back, you will become very nervous.

"So it is important to keep a perspective and giving confidence to the players. We have just had another win (against Bolton) and another clean sheet. That is a positive.

"Okay, it wasn't as good in attack as we want it to be but we have to keep pushing and we know can improve. We need more positives than negatives.

"The players know that we are improving. We are doing much better in defence and that is a big difference but we have to improve in attack - that is clear."

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Despite a number of injuries to key defenders, Liverpool have kept five clean sheets since a 2-0 triumph over Wolves on Boxing Day.

The form of defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos has been one of the highlights of this improvment, but Benitez has also been keen to praise Jamie Carragher, who looks set to remain in an unfavoured right-back role for the clash with the Toffees.

"We know playing Carra on the right is more demanding than in the centre but he will always work hard for the team and is playing really well," said Benitez. "The priority at the minute is to fix the position at right back.

"We have got (Martin) Kelly coming back, (Philipp) Degen is improving and (Stephen) Darby has been with us. We are trying to manage. But the player with most experience is Carra. He, at this moment in time, is the best for the team."

On the injury front, the Reds received a boost with the return to action of Kelly and Nabil El Zhar in the reserves' Lancashire Senior Cup win on Monday, but Benitez believes it will still be a few weeks before he has Fernando Torres and Johnson back in his squad.

 "Glen is still progressing," said Benitez. "It's looking like he will be back in another three or four weeks. When he was first ruled out, it looked like he would be out for two months. It has been a month so far. Fernando is progressing too. Hopefully he will be back in the same time, while Yossi (Benayoun) could return (from broken ribs) in two weeks."