Rafael Benitez has warned Liverpool fans about gloating too soon over the Anfield side's eight point lead over champions Manchester United.
For many Anfield fans, such an advantage over their greatest rivals with the season almost a third over, is cause for celebration.
But boss Benitez said: "I don't think I will be celebrating until the gap is 20 points."
The end product of a weekend of frantic action at the top of the Barclays Premier League is that Manchester United sit eight points behind leaders Chelsea and second placed Liverpool - who have a whopping 14-goal difference deficit to make up on the west Londoners.
Both clubs are on 29 points, with United's defeat away to Arsenal leaving them in fourth spot.
Benitez said: "We were aware before we played West Brom on Saturday that Manchester United had lost, but it was not something that we allowed to effect how we played.
"If you spend the whole time with a calculator considering what others are doing, it will drive you crazy.
"You must concentrate on what you are doing. United may be trailing us, but we are not looking at what they are doing, only ourselves."
Liverpool were top after the 3-0 win over West Brom for just 24 hours before Chelsea regained the leadership after a 2-0 win at Blackburn.
Benitez, who welcomed back striker Fernando Torres after a hamstring injury, said: "Manchester United still have a game in hand and the ability to make up points in just two other games is not that difficult for them.
"When the gap is 20 points, then I will relax. But with just this small difference all I can say is we must keep going all the time and not think about what other teams are doing."
He added: "We have confidence and are playing well, so we know we can be up there at the top. We know it is a long race and must keep going.
"It is still too soon to be thinking in those terms about other teams. There are too many games, in league and cups, and many things can happen.
"But things are very positive. We were top before and we wanted to be top again. The win over West Brom put us back up at the top and we must continue to put pressure on our rivals.
"We are playing well, scoring goals, but it could be better even though we are pleased."
Benitez is expected to rest several senior men for Wednesday's Carling Cup trip to face revitalised Spurs at White Hart Lane.
It seems certain that skipper Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Javier Mascherano and keeper Jose Reina will be rested.
Diego Cavalieri, Jermaine Pennant, Lucas, Nabil El Zhar, Andrea Dossena, Ryan Babel, David Ngog and Sami Hyypia are expected to figure in north London.
On Gerrard, Benitez said: "Stevie needs a bit of rest," the Anfield boss told Liverpool's official website.
"He was injured during the international break and it is important to try and keep players fit all the time.
"It is clear that Stevie is a bit tired at the moment."
Benitez will make a late decision on whether Torres continues his comeback with a place in the starting line-up against Harry Redknapp's men.
Benitez said: "He needs games, but we will assess the situation only after a couple more training sessions."
But it is clear that Benitez is keen to re-form the partnership between Torres and Robbie Keane, who scored his first league goals for the club in the win over West Brom.
Whether Keane will be involved from the start against his former club is also debatable, with Babel and Ngog likely to figure up front.
But Benitez said: "It was good to see Keane scoring, and then to have Torres back on the pitch.
"The understanding will be good again, and if they both continue to work hard they will be very dangerous for any opponent." |
發表於 2008-11-11 12:54 AM
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