Rafael Benitez on today's City clash

Rafael Benitez has been discussing a number of issues ahead of this afternoon’s clash with Manchester City.

 
Rafa on special treatment to injured players
 
We knew different players in the Premier League had used it before and that it was a good treatment for muscle injuries. It was a placenta and also a machine with waves - so something very normal. It is like a cream with a machine - no injections, which had been said in the press. We sent the players and the treatment was good. I think some top class players in the world have been there over the last seven years and it is a very good treatment so we sent another two players and it has been successful, so hopefully they will be ready.
 
On the results of the treatment
 
It has been very good, because we had three or four players injured and they are now available. They are training when we were expecting them to be out for another three or four weeks. Can you guarantee that they are fully fit? We will see but they have been training for two or three days with the rest of the team and they are okay.
 
On City's top four credentials
 
I think everybody is talking about this, but it is too early for me. We know it is a very important game and we have to win if we want to be as close as possible at the top of the table, but City, Tottenham or Aston Villa are close so we have to keep winning games and if we can start now with Manchester City it will be very good for the confidence of the players. We also have some players coming back from injury and if we can start winning it will be easier to create a very positive mood.
 
On City's riches
 
I think everybody knows they have some money and they have good players and a good manager so it will be difficult, but we cannot watch what they are doing. We have to concentrate just on the things that we can do on the pitch against them.
 
On Mark Hughes
 
I think he is doing a good job, they are good team and they are in a good position now, but it is a long race and we have to keep going.
 
On kick-starting Liverpool's season
 
We know we have to improve. We were playing well in the last games but we have to score goals and to win games. If we can win it will be a lift for everyone.
 
On a big week for the Reds
 
We know that we are not in a good position in the table or in the Champions League but that is football. You cannot change these things and the only way to improve is to start winning games. I think if we can win two or three games in a row it will be totally different and people will have more belief and it will be easier for everyone.
 
On the team's good form in big games
 
Normally against good teams we are doing much better, maybe the games are more open or maybe extra motivation, but when we played against Manchester United everyone was saying Liverpool are struggling. We did well so hopefully it will be the same against Manchester City.
 
On returning after the international break
 
When you talk about the international breaks we are not usually happy with this, but on this occasion it was good because we had some injuries and the physios were working very hard so we have some players coming back from injuries and that is very, very good.
 
On players reading criticism
 
When they are away they don't read the English press, normally they are just enjoying time with friends and family and when they come back they don't have time because we have to play. For the majority of them it has been good, last weekend was a weekend off for all of them so they were just spending time with their families.
 
On team news
 
Kelly and Torres are the only two injured and Degen is out because he is suspended.