Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez still believes his side will be in the top four of the Premier League at the end of the season.

The Reds played out a dour 0-0 draw against fellow UEFA Champions League hopefuls Manchester City at Eastlands and they remain one point behind the Blues.

Neither side deserved to win the game but Benitez, who promised to lead the club to fourth spot earlier in the campaign, insists his side will kick on and secure the much-coveted position in the table.

He said "I have to believe. If the manager doesn't have confidence it is difficult for the players.

"I think we have enough quality, Yossi (Benayoun) is coming back, (Fernando) Torres is coming back, hopefully (Glen) Johnson will come back in the next week.

"So we are now bringing players back and the competition will be better for us and hopefully we can improve."

The match at the City of Manchester Stadium was not one for the purists. Both teams defended stoutly but were unable to create many scoring opportunities, although Benitez claimed his side could have had a penalty late on were it not for Yossi Benayoun staying on his feet in the box.

"I think that both teams were working hard in defence, trying to beat the other in attack and we couldn't," he added.

"I think they are a good team, they had good players before, they have good players now, I think we knew it would be difficult and we know that it will be a long race so we have to keep going.

"I think at the end we were more in control, passing the ball with (Alberto) Aquilani, I think we had plenty of possession.

"They could be a threat on the counter-attack but we had more control and also the situation with Yossi maybe with the penalty, so I think we were close at the end to winning the game.

"He told me that he thought it was a penalty. In the end it is good to see a player trying to not take advantage of this but today it was bad! You have to understand his decision."

Fernando Torres came off the bench to mark his return from injury in the second-half but he may not be fit enough to start against Unirea Urziceni on Thursday night.

Benitez added: "We will see how he trains during the week. We have a game in the Europa League on Thursday so we have to decide but I think he still needs to keep working with the fitness coach."

Regarding opposite number Roberto Mancini's progress since taking the reins at City, Benitez remarked: "I think that they had a good team before and they have a good team now.

"Sometimes you try to change things and do it your way and he will need time, but I think he is doing well."