Benitez determined to get back in title race

Rafael Benitez says his side have it within them to win at Old Trafford on Saturday and throw the Premier League title race open again.

And the Liverpool boss has insisted that his tirade against Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United in January had no bearing on the championship battle or his own players.
Benitez has admitted that his side does face a tough task to win at United, saying "everything will have to be perfect'' for them to grab the win that will maintain their slim hopes of a first title since 1990.

With key men Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres declared fit, he said: "There is a greater desire. We know how much of a difference it will be for us if we do win.
"Players will use this game to be extra-motivated, we will push them. We want them to be proud of what they have achieved, proud to play for the club and the fans.
"They must know that to go to Old Trafford and play well is part of their responsibility to the club. I sense that motivation is high, like before we beat Real Madrid in midweek, everyone wants to play.

"Everything is possible. If we can play with the same high tempo as we did against Real Madrid, and keep possession as well as we did, then we can win the game.
"We had confidence before the Real Madrid win, now the mood is even better, everyone is looking forward to the match. I do not believe they are untouchable, as has been suggested, clearly I believe we can win.

"If we don't win it will be very difficult to win the title. If we want to be in the title race we have to win at Old Trafford. If we can play at the same level as we did against Real Madrid, then we can beat anyone.''

Benitez, though, is aware his angry listing of "facts'' about Ferguson's role in the game, will hang over the match.

"It was the right time to say what I said," he claimed. "They were facts, it was the right moment. I do not regret saying anything, and it did not have any effect on results.
"It had no effect on us hitting the post in the last minute at Stoke, it had no influence on them winning their games in hand. I have not spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson since, I do not expect any response from him and I do have great respect for him as a manager.

"I do not believe that my remarks, facts not comments, has had any effect on the title race. They have won games in hand but I do not believe what I said had any impact on the situation at the top of the league.''

And Benitez again looked to the vast difference in spending power as the real difference between the clubs.

He said: "The difference between us, maybe, is £100million spent on players and a big stadium. To overcome this difference we have to do everything perfectly.
"To reduce the gap between the clubs, everyone has to be together, we must not make too many mistakes signing players or running the club. The same with my team selection and for the players, during a game. It has to be perfect.

"Sir Alex has a very good group of players and a big club, that is really the gap. There is a massive difference in terms of the two clubs and their squads. Players, transfer records, wages, there is a big difference.

"The problem this season is that we were so close, top for so long, that expectations were very high.''

On his own future at Liverpool, Benitez denied he was considering walking away, and said: "There is no deadline over my contract talks, certainly not two weeks as has been said. We will have more talks between my lawyer and their advisors in the next days.
"I am looking forward to another conversation, but I am not walking out on anyone.''