Lucas Leiva is hoping Liverpool's 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers will provide them with the springboard to mount a bid for a top-four finish. Rafa Benitez's side moved up to seventh courtesy of their hard-fought home triumph over Mick McCarthy's ten men, and visit fourth-placed Aston Villa tomorrow looking to finish 2009 on a high.

"We are happy because we really needed the three points," Lucas told the club's official website. "I think we played well and deserved to win. Now we have to build some momentum.

We have to build some momentum. Every game is like a cup final for us and we must keep working hard to try and win some matches in a row.
Liverpool's Lucas Leiva

"We have an important game with Villa and we know that if we beat them we will be closer. Like I have said before, every game is like a cup final for us and we must keep working hard to try and win some matches in a row.

"Villa will be a really difficult game and we don't have too much time to recover, but we will make sure we are ready and try to get the three points."

Martin O'Neill's side played yesterday, going down 3-0 at Arsenal, and therefore have even less time to rest. Cesc Fabregas came off the bench to inspire the Gunners to victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Villa, who have beaten Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool this season, looked dangerous on the break but could not make the most of their pressure midway through the second period.

Liverpool, meanwhile, required second-half goals from Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun to defeat Wolves, and they only came once the visitors had been reduced to ten men. Lucas admitted the red card was the turning point.

We know we have a good squad and a good team. The key is to get our confidence back for the rest of the season.
Liverpool's Lucas Leiva

"When you have one player more it is easier," said the Brazilian. "They were then forced to play with one striker. That worked in our favour. After that we kept the ball better, created more chances and scored the two goals.

"When you are not winning or playing as well as you can then you are going to get criticism, that's normal. We know we have a good squad and a good team. The key is to get our confidence back for the rest of the season."