We must pick ourselves up - Reina

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina insists the players will be ready for the challenge of Chelsea on Sunday despite "emptying the tank" in their bid to reach the Europa League final.

The Reds went out on away goals to Atletico Madrid after a physically and emotionally-demanding 120-minute second leg at Anfield on Thursday.

"We have to pick ourselves up after Atletico. There wasn't anything left in the tank at the end," he said. "That's all we could ask of ourselves - to empty the tank. We did that during the 120 minutes."

Already a number of first-team players short because of injuries to Fernando Torres, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio, Emiliano Insua and Martin Kelly, the last thing Rafael Benitez's side needed was an energy-sapping period of extra time.

With doubts persisting over strikers Dirk Kuyt, who recovered from a calf injury sustained at Burnley last Sunday to play against Atletico, and David Ngog (hamstring), Liverpool are not ideally placed to face the champions-elect.

"It was the last chance for us to win a title so we have to move on and Sunday is a massive game," he added. "We have to try to win our two remaining games and at the very least make sure we get the one point we need to get in the Europa League next season.

"Of course there is a belief we can still get the top four but being realistic we know it's going to be tough because there are three teams above us.

"We have to make sure we recover well and get ready for Sunday."

Reina believes the league leaders, who arrive at Anfield on the back of a 7-0 thrashing of Stoke, are deservedly topping the table.

"You have to respect Chelsea. They've been the best team so far this season," the Spain international added.