Rafael Benitez has warned his Liverpool team that carelessness could cost them an elusive Champions League qualification place ahead of tonight's trip to Wigan Athletic.
The Spaniard returns to the DW Stadium 14 months since the Reds were held to a 1-1 draw after conceding a last-minute penalty to deal a blow to their ambition of lifting the Premier League crown.
With Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa all hoping to trump the Anfield club in the race for fourth place, Benitez is urging his side to take a cautious approach against Roberto Martinez's side going into this evening's clash in Greater Manchester.
He said: "We have to keep going and keep winning games but you can see that Tottenham, Aston Villa and City are doing well so we need to be sure we cannot make any mistakes because we have to be working maybe until the last game.
"It's something that you have to accept when you are a top side and last year we were fighting for first place, which was different, but it was more or less the same. The only difference is that you have three more teams now which is always more difficult because everyone can win."
Now under the stewardship of Martinez, the Latics find themselves languishing in 16th place in the table but Benitez is full of praise for his opposite number, who was at Anfield last weekend to watch Liverpool's 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers in anticipation of tonight's showdown.
He added: "I think that they try to play football. They are more or less a mix of style and physical players so it will be difficult because Roberto Martinez has them trying to play football.
"We are strong in defence, we don't concede too many goals and with players of quality in attack, you will have some chances and you have to take these chances."
The hosts will be without defender Steve Gohouri (back) whilst Charles N'Zogbia (knee) and Paul Scharner (groin) will face late fitness tests.
Liverpool meanwhile will be without the defensive duo of Martin Skrtel (metarasal) and Fabio Aurelio (thigh) whilst Daniel Agger remains a doubt with a knee injury but Glen Johnson could feature after a three-month absence.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos is set to return to the side after serving a three-game suspension following his sending off in last month's Merseyside derby.
Kick-off at the DW Stadium is at 8.00 pm.
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Liverpool go into tonights clash strong favourites, at 9/2 for a 1-0 win over the Latics. Head to Paddy Power for the latest odds and specials.
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