Benitez confident of top-four finish

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Mark Noble struck deep in stoppage-time at Upton Park to give the hosts a 1-0 victory, leaving Benitez's men without a league win since Boxing Day and virtually out of the title race.

But Benitez believes his side will at least qualify for Europe, saying: "Yes (we will qualify for the) Champions League. We will improve - because we can improve."

Luis Boa Morte wasted two glorious opportunities for the hosts either side of half-time, and West Ham also hit the bar when Noble's free-kick was glanced on by Steve Finnan.

However, Benitez still felt defeat was harsh - and he also wanted a penalty when the ball struck Lucas Neill in the second half.

"Did we deserve to lose? I think we deserved to win," he said. "If you analyse the game, you can talk about the game. If you analyse the result, you can talk about the result.

"I am a manager, so I have some experience. We must think about how to improve, how to take our chances and how to win games."

Benitez is not thinking about where Liverpool stand in the title race.

"I'm thinking just about the next game and I will try to win the next three points against Sunderland," he said. "Our next game is more realistic to think about."

Asked if the American owners of Liverpool will be analysing the game, he said: "I don't know if they have a TV. Everything is behind (us), and we will start thinking about winning games."