Rafael Benitez

The big guns return to boost Liverpool's bid to cement a place in the top four.

Four key players excused from Champions League duty this week - Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia, Steve Finnan and Jose Reina - are back to face Fulham at Anfield.

None were injured - Rafael Benitez was merely resting the four players who had been involved in most games this season for club and country.

But with no Champions League action until the knock-out stages in late February, Benitez wants to concentrate on improving the Reds' erratic league form.

Liverpool finally won away in the Premiership last Saturday - at Wigan - and the manager believes their position will look a lot healthier come the new year.

He said: "We must focus on the next game, and then the one after that.

"We can put together a good run of results now and then our league position will be better."