The Spaniard has been on the end of a couple of cup upsets to lower-placed opposition - Burnley in 2005, during his first season in charge, and Barnsley two years ago.

With the FA Cup representing Liverpool's best chance of silverware this season, although they have yet to launch their Europa League bid, Benitez is keen not to allow their visitors from the Coca-Cola Championship a glimmer of hope.

"We have to approach the game thinking about winning and not giving them any chances or any confidence that they can do something," said the Liverpool boss.

"In the Premier League you have to win but if you can't you say 'unlucky'. But in the cup you have to win.

"The attitude is more important against teams from a lower division. After that you know you have some quality, but attitude is the key.

"I remember (against Barnsley) and we were not doing badly. We had some chances and then conceded in the last minute.

"It was unlucky but it's the same situation now because it's a cup competition - you have to win and can't make any mistakes."

Liverpool had to claw their way back into the third-round tie at the Madejski Stadium on January 2 - the last match played by either side because of the recent bad weather.

Steven Gerrard's first-half equaliser cancelled out Simon Church's opener but the Reds could not go on to force a win.

That put a slight dent in confidence after back-to-back Barclays Premier League wins and Benitez knows tomorrow's tie is crucial not only to maintain momentum but for the rest of their season.

For that reason he will not make the same mistake he did against Burnley five years ago when he fielded a weakened side and saw his team embarrassed by Djimi Traore's own goal which put them out.

And even though their Premier League campaign, which takes them to Stoke for an early kick-off on Saturday, is still more important in the grander scheme of things, Benitez insists he is fully focused on reaching the fourth round.

"We know the FA Cup is a massive competition, so we want to progress and go forward as much as we can," he said.

"Our priority now is one game at a time, so the first one is the most important.

"The FA Cup is a very good option for us to win something this year, so we have to approach the game thinking about winning.

"It would be very special to get to Wembley. We've been to Cardiff, but now we have to think about winning the first game."

Benitez is still without wingers Albert Riera, Nabil El Zhar and defender Martin Kelly - all injured - and suspended midfielder Javier Mascherano.

And despite continuing speculation about the seriousness of right-back Glen Johnson's knee injury, the manager has not put a timescale on the England international's recovery.

"I was watching him yesterday and he seems okay," said Benitez.

"It's a question of time. He's progressing but we have to wait."

Liverpool's move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Maxi Rodriguez is also edging its way to a conclusion with reports the Argentina international is due to arrive tomorrow for a medical.

The Reading game signals the start of a run of five matches in 18 days and Benitez will be watching his squad closely to see how they recover.

After tomorrow Liverpool head to the Britannia Stadium at the weekend before hosting Tottenham the following Wednesday in a match hastily rearranged after being called off last weekend because of the snowy conditions on Merseyside.

There then follows a trip to Wolves, defeated 2-0 at Anfield less than a month ago, before the visit of Bolton at the end of the month.

By the time Everton arrive at Anfield for the 213th Merseyside derby on February 6, Benitez will have a much better idea of whether his personal guarantee of fourth place made a month ago is still valid.