London - After a faltering start, Liverpool will be looking to kick-start their season this weekend by beating Manchester City, one of the clubs who believe they can usurp Rafael Benitez's side to become one of the big four in the English Premier League. Five defeats in their first 12 games have left them 11 points behind leaders Chelsea in seventh place, with their title hopes hanging by a very feint thread.
But while Chelsea try to protect their five-point lead over Arsenal at the top by beating Wolverhampton Wanderers, Liverpool know that if they beat City, they will be up to fourth before anyone else plays on Saturday.
Though Benitez has refused to give up all hope of the title, the Spaniard knows that one more defeat, especially at home, would surely signal the end of their bid.
"Maybe we can start the season now. I am 100 per-cent sure everything will be totally different if we can win the game against City," Benitez said.
"It would be a big boost and the season can be good if we do well. We have to look at the big picture. We know we have had some problems and we have made some mistakes but still we are so close.
"We have to change some small things that we need to improve on. We talk about the positives and analyse the negatives. Everything will be different if we win two or three in a row. The confidence will be high and everything will be easier."
While the defence has been far shakier than in previous seasons, Benitez has been severely hit by a succession of injuries to his main players, notably Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.
Torres is unlikely to be fit in time to face City, but captain Gerrard is training properly again and has already declared that he will be ready to start the match, while Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani could make his first start after recovering from injury.
Big-spending City may harbour hopes of fourth pace and a Champions League berth but they have drawn their past five games.
Manager Mark Hughes hopes to have Gareth Barry - wanted by Liverpool over the past two seasons - back for Saturday's game and the Welshman believes the international break may also benefit his side.
"Most countries concerning our squad have just had the one game, so thankfully a lot of the guys were back in training on Monday," Hughes said. "The vast majority were here for a session on Thursday, which we don't usually have immediately after internationals so that's a big plus for us given the level of game we have ahead of us on Saturday."
Second-placed Arsenal, who lost Robin van Persie and Kieran Gibbs to injury in midweek, travel to Sunderland chasing three points to keep the pressure on Chelsea, while third-placed Manchester United welcome Everton to Old Trafford.
Bottom side Portsmouth are away to Stoke City on Sunday, while Hull City and West Ham United, 17th and 18th respectively, clash at the KC Stadium.
