Benitez talks up trophy hopes

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For boss Benitez, these coming days are the last throw of the dice to rescue Liverpool's season, with the Barclays Premier League seemingly out of reach.

"We aim to progress in the Champions League. It is so important for the fans and the club, and the money, for Liverpool to reach the quarter-finals," he said.

A week ago Benitez was in the depths of depression after the shock defeat at Middlesbrough, coming only days after a stunning 1-0 win in the Bernabeu that sets up Liverpool perfectly for Real's arrival at Anfield.

But now Benitez's demeanour has changed dramatically as he contemplates a week of destiny for Liverpool's future.

In the next five days Liverpool face two of the world's greatest football powers in Real and Manchester United.

Two wins would be the miracle result Benitez craves. The first, completing a last-16 victory over Real, would send Liverpool into the Champions League quarter-finals for the fourth time in five years.

If they follow that up with an unlikely victory at Old Trafford on Saturday, Benitez believes the league glory that seemed to have escaped his grasp this term will still be a possibility.

Benitez determinedly talked up his injury-hit side's chances, saying: "This is a huge week in Liverpool's season.

"We have the game at Manchester United. If we win then we can still think about the title; if you cannot do that it will be almost impossible to win the title. But we feel we are still in a fantastic position, much better than last season."