Clarke reveals points target
Steve Clarke has revealed how Liverpool are close to reaching a points target he set upon arriving at the club in January.
The Reds took just 25 points from their first 20 games of the season under Roy Hodgson.
Since Clarke and Kenny Dalglish were recruited in the New Year a more impressive 33 points have been wrung from 17 matches.
This leaves Liverpool on 58 points heading into a final weekend contest at Villa Park - just shy of Clarke's goal when he arrived on Merseyside.
"When I came here and looked at the league and how close it was, I thought it was achievable to finish in the top six," the first-team coach told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"You always have to set your goals high, and in my head I had a points total that I thought was achievable. I have to say we haven't achieved it yet - but it's still possible. If we get to that it will be a pleasing job we've done in the second half of the season.
"But a club like Liverpool should always have expectations to be as far up the table as possible."
Aston Villa have nothing tangible to play for on Sunday but their form has been good under caretaker boss Gary McAllister, who took the reins after Gerard Houllier's latest heart scare.
Last weekend they beat Arsenal at the Emirates and Clarke knows the Reds will have to be on top form to gain three points.
Liverpool must better Tottenham's result against Birmingham to qualify for the Europa League.
"Aston Villa have got a good squad of players," said Clarke. "They've had a difficult season but now the pressure is off them. They can relax and play some good football, as we saw with a good result at Arsenal.
"It's always difficult when something happens to a manager like what has happened to Gerard Houllier. It sets the place back.
"Gary has shown great character to keep them going, keep the ship steady. They've picked up some decent results under him and are settled in mid-table now. Gary has done a good job there.
"But we have to concentrate on what we do. After such a good run we feel we let ourselves down a bit against Tottenham at home last weekend. It was a bit of an anti-climax, and to lose a first game at home under Kenny was disappointing.
"But if we can go to Villa Park and get three points then who knows what the end of the season will bring us."