Thursday, December 13, 2012

Jose Enrique eye Top 4 finish

Jose Enrique is targeting maximum points from Liverpool's next two matches in order to bolster their top-four push – but admits he's unsure whether he'll be able to face Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Spaniard limped out of Sunday's 3-2 victory at West Ham United and is a doubt for the visit of the Midlanders.



Enrique will be further assessed before the weekend to determine whether he can figure against Paul Lambert's side.



He told Liverpoolfc.com: "I am okay, but I don't know if I'll be ready for the game. It's nothing bad, but I don't know if I'll be able to play.



"I've had some treatment and then we will see. I hope I can be fit for the game."



Victory over Villa would further strengthen Liverpool's credentials for a top-four finish.



That win at Upton Park took the Reds to within four points of fourth-place Everton - and Enrique is confident they can be successful in their pursuit if they enjoy a fruitful Festive period.



He said: "We will have many, many games. We have to think we can be [up] there. We have beaten good teams this season. The teams at the top have been losing a lot of games, so we have a chance.



"We're just four points behind the Champions League places and we have a big chance to be there before January finishes.



"We have to take it step-by-step. We are close now [to the top four] and have a good chance. We have two games at home now and we'll try to win them both.



"Then if we can get some good players in the transfer window, maybe we can do something."



Liverpool head into Saturday's clash with Villa having lost just one of their last 11 Barclays Premier League matches.



Enrique believes such form is indicative of the progress being made under Brendan Rodgers.



"When you win, there is a better atmosphere and better everything, but from the start we've known that with Brendan and his style of play we will have success sooner or later," he said.



"At the moment, it is working and I hope we can continue like this.



"Everyone has belief in him. It is a different style of play and it takes time to put it into a team that didn't play this way. In English football, I think it is not really normal to play like this - tiki-taka.



"But we are doing well and are getting used to this style of play."



On a personal note, Enrique is enjoying arguably his best run of form since signing for Liverpool in August 2011.



Indeed, the 26-year-old was voted as November's Standard Chartered Player of the Month by fans this week - and the No.3 admits to being in awe at the support both he - and the team - have received on the terraces, both home and away.



He said: "It is amazing. The fans here...I don't have words for them. I am really lucky to play for a club like this with these type of fans.



"Everywhere we go, our fans are everywhere. Even when we played against Udinese in Italy, there were a lot of fans from Liverpool. It is an amazing club and I really like playing in front of our supporters.



"They come to Anfield and it is amazing because the stadium is full and they support the team a lot - even if sometimes we don't play well.



"You can see the true supporters when you're not in a good moment but they're still there. But even when we play away, they come with the team and try to help us.



"That's really important - we feel like we're at home when we play away."


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