Birmingham v LFC: Match preview

The Reds moved eight points clear of closest rivals Everton courtesy of last Saturday's 2-0 win at Fulham and one more victory for Rafael Benitez's side would completely guarantee the fourth and final Champions League berth.

Benitez has already admitted he will look to make full use of his squad in the last three league matches of the season and knows that even a point would make it almost impossible for the Toffees to overturn their advantage, given our superior goal difference.

"My idea is to try and win and we saw the other day that we can do it with the squad," said Rafa.

"Against Fulham we were controlling the game, playing well and we ended up winning. So we will try to do the same against Birmingham. It depends upon how the players are but we will maybe use some different ones and try to win because we need to confirm fourth position."

Benitez will have to cope without the injured Fabio Aurelio who has been ruled out for up to three weeks with an adductor muscle injury and could draft in the likes of Damien Plessis and Emiliano Insua, who have both been influential in the Reserves' title success this season.

While the Reds will no doubt have one eye on the Champions League second leg at Chelsea, Birmingham go into the contest knowing that it is a must-win game if they are retain any hope of survival.

Alex McLeish's side were humiliated 5-1 at Aston Villa in the Birmingham derby last time out and are currently one point from safety.

But the former Scotland boss will be looking for an immediate response from his players and Liverpool will have to be on their guard if they are to secure fourth before the final two matches of the season.

"The Villa game is gone and there is nothing we can do about it now, but we still have got a very good opportunity to stay up," said McLeish.

"On Saturday we'll be asking our players to find extra in terms of quality on the pitch, but we also need the fans to be positive.

"We'll be going into the game looking for the bounce back factor which we have shown in abundance this season."

City could welcome back midfielder Sebastian Larsson following the Sweden international's recovery from a medial ligament injury while Oliver Kapo is pressing for a return to the starting XI after he proved his fitness following a hamstring problem by appearing as a substitute against Villa.

However, the home side will have to cope without skipper Damien Johnson who completes a three-match suspension for his sending-off at Wigan.

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