The Anfield clash with Gareth Southgate's team comes straight after a dreadful display at Manchester City on Saturday, a frustrating goalless draw which did little to ensure Liverpool claim a Champions League spot for next season.

Liverpool still need five points - taking into consideration their much better goal difference - to ensure a top four place. But to make a significant impression on Manchester United and Chelsea, Benitez knows victories against the likes of City and Boro are a must next season.

He says: "We need to improve on how we played against Manchester City. We did not create many chances, but playing at home now we will be better and get the goals we want.

"If we want to challenge for the Premier League next season, we have to win the majority of our games against clubs outside the top four.

"But we are aware that we need a bigger and better squad. At this stage of the season with teams contesting several trophies, it is the squad depth that is important.

"If you have injuries you need other players who can maintain the right level of team performance."

Benitez will still be without striker Craig Bellamy, who is not fully recovered from a knee problem, and wants to make sure of a top-four finish by winning two home games in four days.

Liverpool face Wigan on Saturday, and six points this week will send them into next Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg at Chelsea full of confidence.

And Benitez even accepts that Everton, the local rivals he called a "small club", are dangerously close in fifth spot.

He said: "Bolton and Everton are close, but it depends on us to win our home games. Then we will achieve what we want, and do not forget that both those clubs will have to win all their games.

"Anything can happen in football, but we must make sure we do the right things now and get what we want before we have to play the semi-final."

Benitez is conscious everyone seems to be confident Chelsea and Manchester United will be contesting everything in the final weeks of the season, but insists he is not worried by being so abruptly written off.

He said: "Our motivation is to be in the final and to win it. I am not motivated by hearing talk that everyone thinks Chelsea and Manchester United will be competing against each other for everything.

"These things do not worry me, I am only concerned about finishing in the top four and beating Chelsea and reaching the European Cup final."

Benitez, who has confirmed for the first time that he has turned down another massive offer to manage Real Madrid - and now wants to put new contract talks with his star players on hold until after the Champions League - wants an improved performance against Boro after the limp display at Eastlands.

He said: "There is a danger that Everton or Bolton could catch us. We must be aware of that and make sure we claim our place in the Champions League next season.

"But if you asked me whether I would be happy to finish fourth and win the Champions League, I would say yes.

"But everything depends on us. Other teams can catch us, but if we continue doing the right things then we know that we maybe need to win two games to make sure of where we want to finish.

"We must make the home games count now, if we can do the job in the next two games we can go onto face Chelsea in the right frame of mind."