Rafa Benitez believes Liverpool lost pace with the Premier League leaders because of the speculation surrounding his relationship with the club's co-owners.
The Reds made a solid start to their Premier League campaign but rumours soon began to spread that Benitez had fallen out with American duo George Gillett and Tom Hicks.
They publicly disagreed over the size of the available transfer budget for January, and Hicks later admitted holding talks with former Germany manager Jurgen Klinsmann.
Supporters have rallied around Benitez and the Spaniard believes he can be excused for Liverpool's below-par displays.
"What is evident is that back at that time we were in a great position and the team was in shape to win many of the games which we eventually drew," he told the News of the World.
"So the entire process is what allowed the gap to open between us and the leaders.
"If I wanted, I have the perfect excuse. The only solution I have is to try to bury myself in my work."
Liverpool are currently 17 points behind table-toppers Arsenal and Benitez accepts that claiming the fourth UEFA Champions League berth is now his now their primary focus.
He said ahead of the game against Chelsea: "What is vital is that we win to enable us to fight for at least the fourth-placed spot."
The Reds made a solid start to their Premier League campaign but rumours soon began to spread that Benitez had fallen out with American duo George Gillett and Tom Hicks.
They publicly disagreed over the size of the available transfer budget for January, and Hicks later admitted holding talks with former Germany manager Jurgen Klinsmann.
Supporters have rallied around Benitez and the Spaniard believes he can be excused for Liverpool's below-par displays.
"What is evident is that back at that time we were in a great position and the team was in shape to win many of the games which we eventually drew," he told the News of the World.
"So the entire process is what allowed the gap to open between us and the leaders.
"If I wanted, I have the perfect excuse. The only solution I have is to try to bury myself in my work."
Liverpool are currently 17 points behind table-toppers Arsenal and Benitez accepts that claiming the fourth UEFA Champions League berth is now his now their primary focus.
He said ahead of the game against Chelsea: "What is vital is that we win to enable us to fight for at least the fourth-placed spot."
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