Forward Benteke urges Liverpool to be ready for festive period

Forward Christian Benteke believes the busy festive period provides a big chance for Liverpool to pick up vital points in the English Premier League (EPL).

Liverpool lost to Watford 0-3 on Sunday and they will like to get back to winning ways. They are nine on the EPL standings, with 24 points -- 14 points behind league leaders Leicester City.

A run of three league fixtures in a week begins on Boxing Day as the Reds take on Leicester at the Anfield stadium. Then they face Sunderland on December 30 and West Ham United on January 2 -- and the Belgium international is relishing this stage of the football calendar.

"It's a special period because you have Christmas and New Year and a lot of games coming up. It's a chance for us to win some games," he told Liverpoolfc.com on Wednesday.

"Everyone knows that we have a very big squad with a lot of quality. We have to try to put that quality together."

The summer signing is fully aware of the threat that

will be posed by the visitors, who will spend Christmas Day two points clear at the top of the table.

"They won't just sit back and wait for a mistake," the 25-year-old said. "They will want to play and show that they have the quality to play. That's why they're first in the league.

"The Premier League is the strongest league in the world. You can see this year it's really strong. Of course we have to respect them but when we play them we have to do everything to try to get the three points.

"I'm feeling good and I want to play because it's a big game. But it's up to the manager and I respect his decision."

The last time Liverpool appeared at Anfield was the 2-2 draw against West Bromwich Albion in the league, when head coach Jürgen Klopp and the players thanked the fans for their support by saluting the Kop.

Benteke says the supporters were key to the home side grabbing a late equaliser to earn a point that day, and believes such backing can give the Reds an advantage.

"The supporters were really great until the end and that's why we came back at the end," Benteke, who joined Liverpool from Aston Villa in the summer transfer, said.

"They showed us that if we impress them then they can give us that one or two percent more."