Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez begins what he believes the 213th Merseyside derby at home to Everton on Saturday begins a series of crucial clashes for the Reds. With a midweek visit to Arsenal and then a trip to Manchester City a fortnight on Sunday those results will go a long way to defining their season.
"We talk about crucial times and this period is very important," said the Reds boss.
"I've spoken with the players and we have been analysing what we have (in terms of games) until the end of the season and this is the most crucial phase.
"We are close to the top four and we cannot make too many mistakes and we play against three teams that are around us.
"It is important to keep winning games to maintain the momentum and it would be fantastic to win all three but you have to start with the first one.
"We want to make sure we get back into the top four and this is the first opportunity to try and do that."
However, Benitez does not believe current form will have much of an impact.
"Both Everton and us and are on a good run so both will come into the game with confidence," he said.
"But in the past sometimes we were not in a good moment and won and sometimes we were in a good moment and lost.
"A derby is a derby and is different to any other game so form is not the most important thing now."
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