Chelsea game not title decider

Last updated : 16 September 2006 By Al Campbell
Liverpool visit Stamford Bridge tomorrow for only their fourth Premiership game of the season. However, some people are claiming that if the Reds lose they will be out of the title race. Rafa Benitez has dismissed such nonsense.

"I'm surprised so many people are saying if we lose, the title will be impossible. I know if that happens, people will say we have no chance, and if we win they'll say we are in a race. It's still too early for this," said the Liverpool boss.

"Last year we won one of the first six league games but finished the season with 82 points and came third. This time, I wouldn't be surprised if a team with 75 points finished first.

"The Premiership is much stronger this year and a lot of club have improved. All the top clubs may have more problems.

"Last season Chelsea won many games, but I don't think it will be so easy for anyone this time. More teams will beat each other, and already some of the top teams are having difficulties at the start of the season.

"I promise you I am not looking at the table now, after just three games. The time to analyse the table is in another two months, and then you will see how the team is progressing.

"You never know whether it's a good or bad time to play them until after the game. It's never easy playing two games in a week, but at least we've been able to train with the players, talk to them and analyse things. That's better than our preparations for last week.

"Maybe after the result in PSV, our confidence is better. It's a big test for us, but we can be sure the motivation of the players going into the game is really good.

"These are the games the players like to play. They want to show we are strong and improve the results against the top sides in the Premiership.

"Last season we had problems in the league games against them and we want to do much better.

"We've done a good job against them in the cup and now we want to do the same in the Premiership. The cup is always different. Both teams know there can be no draw, and it makes a difference to the tactical approach. It's a different type of game in the Premiership, with different problems."