"I am confident we will win more games both at home and away because we have a better squad and a better team," said Benitez. "Over the next nine months we'll be able to use different players for different games and that will help us.
"It's not going to be easy to close a 37 point gap in one season but we will be closer this time. Chelsea enjoyed one of the best ever Premiership seasons last year but if we improve, and if Arsenal and Manchester United improve, then I'm sure we'll all be closer to them.
"I don't know how much closer we can get, but I am confident we will not be so far behind. I think the title race could be more open this year with the top three plus ourselves and maybe another club all challenging."