• Benítez believes players who were injured will now be stronger
• Attacking options boosted by return of Torres and Benayoun

Rafael Benítez believes the injury problems that contributed to Liverpool’s dismal early season form could work in their favour in the contest for Champions League qualification, as Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are not exposed to the fatigue that may afflict their rivals in the race for fourth place.

Liverpool could reclaim fourth place in the Premier League with victory at struggling Wigan Athletic on Monday night as Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Aston Villa are all without a game in the competition this weekend. Despite losing Martin Skrtel and Fábio Aurélio to foot and thigh injuries respectively, Benítez’s attacking options have improved significantly thanks to Torres’s recovery from hernia and knee problems plus Yossi Benayoun’s return from a broken rib.

With Gerrard’s form also improving by the game and Glen Johnson in contention for his first appearance of 2010 at the DW Stadium, the Liverpool manager says there can be some solace to be taken from the earlier absence of key players during this campaign.

“The players we have coming back now, and how fresh they are, can have an influence on the run-in for sure,” Benítez explained. “If we don’t have any more injury problems this season, and already we have lost Skrtel and Aurélio in the last week, then it could be that our players will be fresher and have more energy than the other teams for the final games of the season. Hopefully it can work out in our favour. Hopefully.

“Because of the injury situation we couldn’t change too many players this season and some players have played too many games because we couldn’t give them a rest. We have had to manage in a different way but I still think we can be strong as usual in the second half of the season.”

Johnson has not featured since damaging knee ligaments at Villa in December but, in a timely development for both Liverpool and England ahead of the World Cup, will be considered for the Wigan game. Benítez added: “He trained yesterday, it was a full training session, and I think he will be OK to go in the squad for Wigan. We have two more training sessions before then so we will have to see, but I think he will be OK.”

Liverpool also have Sotirios Kyrgiakos available following the completion of a three-match suspension while Torres, who followed up his match-winning start against Blackburn last Sunday with 45 minutes for Spain against France on Wednesday, is free of the injuries that have plagued his season.

“The good thing with Fernando is that he has no injuries now, he is fully fit, the only problem is his lack of match fitness,” said the Liverpool manager. “When you have a player out injured for a long time it is very difficult trying to bring them back. If you push them too hard too soon it is dangerous for the player, but at the same time if you don’t push them they won’t regain match fitness.”

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• Mascherano says Liverpool’s standing gives them an edge
• ‘You can buy players but you cannot buy history’

Javier Mascherano dismissed Manchester City’s threat to Liverpool yesterday when he said the world’s wealthiest club could challenge their Champions League status but would never usurp their standing in the game. The Argentina captain also claimed the history of Liverpool remains a bigger draw to some players than the money on offer at Eastlands.

The Liverpool midfielder, who faces Roberto Mancini’s team at Eastlands tomorrow, is one of several high-profile names to have been linked with City in recent months, a roll-call that also includes his Anfield team-mate Fernando Torres. Not content with categorically dismissing the idea of a move along the M62, however, Mascherano believes City will remain in Liverpool’s shadow even if they do beat Rafael Benítez’s team to Champions League qualification this season.

“Maybe if City got in the top four they would build on that like Chelsea did before but I will say one thing: you can buy players but you cannot buy history,” said the Argentinian. “At Liverpool we play with the history of the club. We don’t have the money that they have but we are proud to play for Liverpool.

“I don’t want to play for Manchester City. Yes, they have money and they are building a good team but I am still proud to play for Liverpool. You can buy stars but you cannot buy history and I think Manchester City respect Liverpool. I think they know we have some very good players too and we will fight until the end. Then we will see what happens.”

Liverpool will arrive at Eastlands one point behind fourth-placed City, having also played a game more. But Mascherano, who has been in frequent contact with his friend and City striker Carlos Tevez this week over the premature birth of his child, believes Liverpool’s greater experience at the top end of the table gives them an advantage over the final months of the season.

“City have spent a lot of money to be in the four, more money than us,” he added. “They are a good team with good players but we have very good players too. We know that we are Liverpool and have to be in the top four because of the history of this club. It is normal for us to play under pressure and maybe it is not normal for them as a group.”

Benítez will again be without Torres tomorrow, although the Spanish striker is close to a return from knee surgery, and he will give Yossi Benayoun a late fitness test following his recovery from broken ribs. “If we win, they will need to win more games and it will be more difficult for them,” said the Liverpool manager. “They will be under more pressure if we win, that’s for sure.”

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