Anfield Boss Calls For Striking Improvement

Rafa Benitez has urged his Liverpool side to score more goals if they want to break into the Premier League top four.

The Spaniard has seen his side falter this campaign, but they have rallied in recent weeks and kept three clean sheets in a row in a six-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, a feat which has lifted them to fifth place in the table.

Liverpool are battling to finish in the top four in order to qualify for next season's Champions League and face a Merseyside derby against Everton at the weekend.

Despite the Anfield's side doggedness in defence they have struggled to score goals. In fact, they have scored fewer goals than any other side in the top six.

Benitez told the Liverpool Echo that he wants his team to be more productive in front of goal now their confidence is on the up.

"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," he said.

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt, who has scored three goals in the last three games, recently said that the Reds are a side who need to be challenging for trophies so it is understandable they are criticised when underperforming.

However, the football odds suggest that Liverpool should pick up three points when Everton come to visit.