LIVERPOOL midfielder Xabi Alonso believes it is more important for the team to be playing well at this stage of the season than worrying whether they are top of the table.
Playing in the Premier League’s early kick-off game at 12.45pm on Saturday, Liverpool briefly returned to the summit following their 2-0 win at Bolton Wanderers thanks to headed goals by Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard.
However, by the time Chelsea had finished their evening game, the Londoners had reclaimed top spot on goal difference with a 3-0 victory at basement club West Brom.
It’s been a similar sequence for most of the season so far with the two clubs frequently exchanging places depending on whoever plays first over the weekend.
Alonso’s goal at Stamford Bridge on October 26, which ended Chelsea’s record 86-game unbeaten home record, briefly put Liverpool into the ascendancy, but a first defeat of the season back in London just six days later against Tottenham ensured Benitez’s side were again on the same points total as Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men.
However, with a third of the season complete, Alonso is more concerned with Liverpool’s form than whether they occupy first place as the club bid to land their first title in 19 years.
He said: “The pressure is always there, you’re professional. I’ve been at Liverpool for a while and it’s nice to have the pressure of being at the top of the table.
“We don’t have to obsess about being top of the table, we have to obsess about each individual game.
“Now the job is done against Bolton and some of us will go off and think about an international and as soon as we are back we have to be thinking about Fulham at home.”
Despite Liverpool’s start being their best ever to a Premier League season, manager Rafael Benitez says he feels there is still plenty of room for improvement from several of his players. Alonso believes his team-mates will have no problem upping their game as the campaign progresses.
He said: “There are still a few things, but that is normal because the other sides have good teams as well.
“We try to have control in all areas of the game – that is something we’re working on – but other things are working quite well.
“As we improve as a team, each individual player will benefit from that improvement.
“I’m happy with the team and myself as well. As long as the team continues in this way and in this position I’m very happy.”
Gary Megson’s side were expected to push Liverpool hard, but after some of the nail-biting matches so far this season, Alonso was pleased with a relatively comfortable victory.
He said: “Overall the team is looking quite good in attack and defence. Of course we still think we can improve, but we are keeping the ball well, and working well together.”
With Benitez admitting that Fernando Torres is still several weeks short of match fitness, Liverpool have already shown that they can win without their most prolific marksman.
Alonso said: “It’s important whoever is playing that the team keeps the same identity and have the same ideas.”
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard has been ruled out of England’s friendly with Germany in Berlin on Wednesday after tearing a leg muscle against Bolton.
He could return, however, for the meeting with Fulham at Anfield this Saturday.
Playing in the Premier League’s early kick-off game at 12.45pm on Saturday, Liverpool briefly returned to the summit following their 2-0 win at Bolton Wanderers thanks to headed goals by Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard.
However, by the time Chelsea had finished their evening game, the Londoners had reclaimed top spot on goal difference with a 3-0 victory at basement club West Brom.
It’s been a similar sequence for most of the season so far with the two clubs frequently exchanging places depending on whoever plays first over the weekend.
Alonso’s goal at Stamford Bridge on October 26, which ended Chelsea’s record 86-game unbeaten home record, briefly put Liverpool into the ascendancy, but a first defeat of the season back in London just six days later against Tottenham ensured Benitez’s side were again on the same points total as Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men.
However, with a third of the season complete, Alonso is more concerned with Liverpool’s form than whether they occupy first place as the club bid to land their first title in 19 years.
He said: “The pressure is always there, you’re professional. I’ve been at Liverpool for a while and it’s nice to have the pressure of being at the top of the table.
“We don’t have to obsess about being top of the table, we have to obsess about each individual game.
“Now the job is done against Bolton and some of us will go off and think about an international and as soon as we are back we have to be thinking about Fulham at home.”
Despite Liverpool’s start being their best ever to a Premier League season, manager Rafael Benitez says he feels there is still plenty of room for improvement from several of his players. Alonso believes his team-mates will have no problem upping their game as the campaign progresses.
He said: “There are still a few things, but that is normal because the other sides have good teams as well.
“We try to have control in all areas of the game – that is something we’re working on – but other things are working quite well.
“As we improve as a team, each individual player will benefit from that improvement.
“I’m happy with the team and myself as well. As long as the team continues in this way and in this position I’m very happy.”
Gary Megson’s side were expected to push Liverpool hard, but after some of the nail-biting matches so far this season, Alonso was pleased with a relatively comfortable victory.
He said: “Overall the team is looking quite good in attack and defence. Of course we still think we can improve, but we are keeping the ball well, and working well together.”
With Benitez admitting that Fernando Torres is still several weeks short of match fitness, Liverpool have already shown that they can win without their most prolific marksman.
Alonso said: “It’s important whoever is playing that the team keeps the same identity and have the same ideas.”
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard has been ruled out of England’s friendly with Germany in Berlin on Wednesday after tearing a leg muscle against Bolton.
He could return, however, for the meeting with Fulham at Anfield this Saturday.
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