Liverpool goalkeeper, Pepe Reina, reckons a defeat against Manchester United will end his club's hopes for a league title.

The world is waiting with anticipation as one of the biggest games of the season will take place at Anfield later tonight with Rafa Benitez's men taking on the Red Devils.

Reina and his teammates were stunned by an impressive Olympique Lyonnais side in midweek as the Ligue 1 side stole all three points at Anfield with a 2-1 win.

However, the Spaniard stopper wants the team to put that defeat behind them and focus on what he feels is the biggest game of the season for Liverpool.

Speaking to The Daily Star, he said: "This is a final for us and a game we just have to win

"If we lose, we will be 10 points behind Manchester United and that will be just too big a gap in the Premier League. We cannot afford to think of defeat because it would be a disaster.

"The defeat to Lyon has damaged us massively but we have to put the Champions League behind us for now. We just can't afford one mistake against United because they will take advantage. We are working as hard as we can to get our confidence back but in just a few things everything has become so negative."

Reina also defended Benitez who has been put under the spotlight for Liverpool's torrid form this season coming into this game.

Reina said: "The manager Benítez has come in for a lot of criticism but in truth it is the players' fault and we have to realise like. We just have to get three points because it will be good for us and will also stop Manchester United."