Rafael Benitez sees Liverpool's FA Cup tie at Reading as another game enabling his team to recapture their best form. Back-to-back victories over the festive season have been grasped at by Benitez as proof that the situation at Anfield is improving.
And if Liverpool can beat Coca-Cola Championship side Reading in the third round and make it three wins on the trot for the first time since September.
"The feeling after the win at Aston Villa this week was really good, it can only improve confidence," he said.
"After the way things had been going, we needed to start winning some games in a row. We have now won twice on the trot in the league against Wolves and Villa over Christmas and are aiming to add to that run against Reading.
"We had been very close to some good form, but the confidence is now really high so hopefully we can continue in this way with the same mentality."
The real prize for Benitez, though, is still a top four finish, so a run of victories to keep form and confidence high is imperative.
He said: "It will be very difficult for us to finish in the top four: Spurs, Manchester City and Aston Villa are all pushing very hard for fourth place.
"We have to keep working and keep going right to the end. We know there will be difficulties, but we must keep our confidence and add to the two wins in two games we achieved over Christmas.
"Now it is the perfect time to go on a winning run, and a victory and good performance at Reading will add to our growing confidence.
"We had to win one, then two and now we want three. If we do that before we face Spurs at Anfield in our next league game, it will be a real boost to our confidence."
