We must forget woes and improve, warns Rafa

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has told his players they must put their recent troubles behind them and focus on tonight's Merseyside derby.

In the last nine days the Reds have been held to a goalless draw at Stoke, had to read about their manager rejecting a contract extension and watch Manchester United overtake them as Premier League leaders.

Victory over Everton tonight would put the club back on top and Benitez believes that is the only thing the players should be concentrating on. "We know we didn't play well [against Stoke]," said the Liverpool boss. "But now we have to think about the derby. If you want to win these kind of games you have to improve."

Benitez went public with his contract rejection on Friday. The stumbling block appears to be his desire to have full control over transfers. But he does not believe the dispute has overshadowed tonight's match. "It is not affecting preparations," said the Spaniard.

Xabi Alonso is set to return and Fernando Torres is in line for a place in the Reds starting line-up after two substitute appearances following recovery from a similar problem.