Lee Carsley insists Everton can inflict more misery on Merseyside rivals Liverpool by again snatching fourth place in the Premier League.

Rafael Benitez's side are currently going through a crisis both on and off the pitch as ownership issues and mixed results continue to blight their campaign.

Instead of challenging Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea for the title, Liverpool find themselves in a dogged scrap for fourth, and with it the final Champions League place for next season.

The Reds are in the mix with Everton, Manchester City and Aston Villa, while Portsmouth and Blackburn should not be discounted.

Midfielder Carsley believes it is Everton who can win the mini-league and claim the coveted fourth place, just as they did in 2005 when they pipped Liverpool by three points.

"Everyone would expect Liverpool to finish fourth," Carsley told PA Sport.

"They've spent the kind of money where they shouldn't be happy with that. They should be pushing for the title.

"But they're not, so it's going to be a hell of a scrap for that fourth place.

"Obviously, we're aware of the quality of the teams around us, and we know what we have to do.

"The last time we sneaked up on the outside, so we're happy to stay in the background.

"If we're still around their with five or six games to go then we'll really go for it."

On a woeful pitch Everton ground out a 2-1 win at Wigan yesterday, courtesy of goals from Andy Johnson and Joleon Lescott.

Despite the fact the Toffees are without Ayegbeni Yakubu and Steven Pienaar due to the African Nations Cup, the team have taken six points from two games in their absence.

Carsley feels that underlines Everton's squad strength, and that they are able to maintain their push for fourth for the rest of the season.

"Anybody is going to miss players of their calibre," added Carsley referring to the African duo.

"But we've always maintained it's about the squad, and I feel ours is really strong.

"So it's a lot more than us just getting through the next few weeks because if you look at the bench, the players not even involved, there is quality throughout.

"There is strength in depth, and we're going to need that because we're going to have to grind out results on occasion.

"We did it a couple of seasons ago when we did finish fourth. But then a lot of things went our way.

"We stayed clear of injuries and suspensions, which really helped and that's the key.

"To finish fourth, like winning the league, you need a fair amount of luck and we definitely got our fair share of that last time."

Carsley, though, maintains Everton are fully justifying their league position at present, while they are also challenging for Carling Cup and UEFA Cup honours.

With the second leg of their Carling Cup semi-final at home to Chelsea on Wednesday, which Everton trail 2-1 from the first game, he added: "It's been a good season so far.

"Come the end, it could be an absolutely fantastic season.

"But football has a habit of kicking you in the teeth when you think you've got it sussed.

"So for us it's a question of staying focused, staying grounded."

Ahead of the Chelsea clash Everton have been boosted with the news homegrown stars Tony Hibbert and Leon Osman, both 26, have signed new contracts until 2012.

Liverpool-born Hibbert is delighted with the new contract, saying: "I am made up that I am here for another five years and I am very happy to be here and carry on playing my football here.

"It is good to sign at the same time as Leon. We have grown up together and been playing for Everton for many years. It is good to see that we are still wanted at the club."

Osman added: "I have been here since I left school, and that is a long time but it is where I want to play my football."

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