Rafa believes Liverpool are back as serious contenders for automatic Champions League qualification as they bid to pip Manchester United to the Premiership runners-up spot.

The Reds boss feels his side's odds of completing an unlikely chase are much healthier following United's Bank Holiday draw with Middlesbrough.

Had United won, only a home defeat to Charlton and a high scoring Liverpool win at Portsmouth would have been enough.

But now Sir Alex Ferguson knows his side must win on Sunday, or the Reds can sneak past with victory at Fratton Park.