After Steven Gerrard claimed his first hat-trick in the Premier League, Liverpool have a marginally better goal difference than United, who lost 2-0 to Fulham, and Chelsea, who were defeated 1-0 by Tottenham Hotspur. BenÍtez's side may have followed up their brilliant victories over Real Madrid, in the Champions League, and United, in the league at Old Trafford, by taking their goal tally to 13 in their past three games, but the Liverpool manager marked his annoyance by criticising his players for not cashing in on Villa's subsidence.
Brad Friedel, the Villa goalkeeper, was dismissed in the 64th minute, when he brought down Fernando Torres for Gerrard to convert his second penalty, but that was the end of the day's scoring. "You score two goals, three goals, four goals, and after they go down to ten players, it is really important to take your chances because you never know what can happen with goal difference," BenÍtez said. "We were playing against ten men and we had three or four chances to score more on the counter. We could do better. It's something you can improve. Today it wasn't the key, but on some days it matters."
After Liverpool's biggest league victory since Derby County lost 6-0 at Anfield 18 months ago, BenÍtez explained why he was not smiling. "I wanted more goals," he said. "Don't get me wrong, I am really happy. The players are doing a fantastic job, but always can improve a little bit."
Liverpool, who travel to Fulham a week on Saturday after the international break, could be top of the league again by the time United, who have one game in hand over their nearest challengers, face Villa at Old Trafford 24 hours later, but BenÍtez refused to accept it is advantage Liverpool, notwithstanding their excellent momentum. "We need to do our job and wait for United to make mistakes," he said. "Now we are much closer, but they are still in a much better position. But we have to keep going and pushing them."
José Manuel Reina established a club record by beating Ray Clemence's run to 100 clean sheets and the Spain goalkeeper made two excellent saves from John Carew with the score at 1-0. But this was a day when Liverpool oozed class going forward - although Gerrard joked he was worried that he would be substituted before he could complete his hat-trick. "You always do when Rafa's in charge," the Liverpool captain, said, laughing. "He might take you off when you're on two just to keep your feet on the ground.
"It's important that we don't get carried away because Manchester United are capable of winning all their remaining games. We've got to focus on what we're doing, keep winning and keep on their shoulders and piling that pressure on them, so that they're going into games knowing that we're ready to pounce on any mistakes that they make. Chelsea are there as well. They got beat yesterday but there's Chelsea as well. When you win, it's good to win convincingly."
While United had Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney dismissed at the end of an ignominious week for the champions, Martin O'Neill, the Villa manager, refused to accept that Sir Alex Ferguson will be losing his nerve in the title race. "After today, I think it will be very tight, but I would have to say that the best manager in the world will not let a couple of defeats knock him unduly," he said. "He's only won about 26 championships."
Villa limp into the international break on the back of eight games without a victory and after Arsenal's 3-1 win away to Newcastle United, three points off fourth place. "We're not out of it, but anyone would say those top four sides are the best sides," O'Neill said. "But we're better than we showed today.
"The other four teams, with their strength in depth, have been over the course. It's no fluke they do this, and great credit to them. We've got a lot of catching up to do, in every respect."
