Rafael Benitez said he hoped his Liverpool players would use the 2-0 derby success against local rivals Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday as a springboard for an assault at securing a Premier League top-four finish (Liverpool 28/1 Premier League outright prices).

An early own goal from Joseph Yobo and and close-range effort from Dirk Kuyt late on sealed an otherwise low-key contest on Merseyside and extended Everton’s current run to one win in the last 11 matches to leave them just three points outside the relegation places.

Benitez was delighted to collect maximum points on the back of the club’s elimination from the Champions League and argued the victory “could set us up for the rest of the season” (Liverpool 13/2 favourites Europa League outright prices).

Liverpool are now up to fifth in the Premier League table and next Saturday travel to take on Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Benitez said: “A derby is always very difficult and also very important so a win today could set us up for the rest of the season.

“We are higher in table now, everyone is happy, so we will see if we can keep winning some games.”

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