The West Ham boss has already dented Rafael Benitez's Barclays Premier League bid when his side earned a point at Anfield earlier in the season, with Liverpool needing a win at Upton Park this weekend to have any chance of catching Manchester United at the top.

Zola has history against Liverpool, his emotional final appearance for Chelsea was against them six years ago and resulted in a place among Europe's elite, while dumping their opponents into the UEFA Cup.

While Benitez's men are chasing the title, West Ham are in the hunt for a seventh-placed finish that will earn a place in next season's revamped Europa League and feel they need a win and a draw from their last three games.

"It's looking more likely that four points is going to be enough," Zola said. "But we are going to try to make sure we do more than that but four points should be enough.

"We are just saying we need four but we are going to try to get nine - that is the approach we have."

Zola is determined to earn his first win against one of the league's top-four clubs as a manager, although he is wary of Liverpool's style away from home.

"In my opinion they are a team you'd rather play at their home than away as if you look at their record away it must be one of the best in the Premier League," Zola said.

"So it is a really tough match for us but my players are determined to beat one of the really top sides.

"We played Manchester United at home and Chelsea at home and we went very close and were unlucky. We keep trying as we lost against those teams but we learnt a lot from them and we are confident that Saturday is going to be a different game."

The Hammers are looking to build on last week's win over Stoke, courtesy of a winner from Diego Tristan, who is out of contract at the end of the season and is staking his claim for a new deal.

"It's going to be another tough match and a completely different game and that is what the Premier League is all about," Zola said.

"You play a game against Stoke City, which is a very difficult game, and then you have another one which is a completely different kind of game and you have to change your mental approach and your tactics.

"But I like it, it is another opportunity for us to beat a top team and also it has got double the value that if we win this game we have a great chance to get into Europe."

Striker Carlton Cole is approaching a return from his groin injury but the Liverpool clash may come too soon.