Rafael Benitez has warned Liverpool supporters not to get carried away by the club's impressive start to the season or their eight point gap over Manchester United.
The Liverpool manager struck a note of caution after their 3-0 victory over West Bromich Albion took them well clear of the champions who lost 2-1 to Arsenal. However, Benitez says United, who have a game in hand, are far from out of the title race.
"When the gap is 20 points, then I will relax," he said. "But with just this small difference all I can say is we must keep going all the time and not think about what other teams are doing.
"We were aware before we played West Brom on Saturday that Manchester United had lost, but it was not something that we allowed to effect how we played.
"If you spend the whole time with a calculator considering what others are doing, it will drive you crazy. You must concentrate on what you are doing. United may be trailing us, but we are not looking at what they are doing, only ourselves."
Benitez, who welcomed back striker Fernando Torres after a hamstring injury, added. "Manchester United still have a game in hand and the ability to make up points in just two other games is not that difficult for them.
"But with just this small difference all I can say is we must keep going all the time and not think about what other teams are doing."
He added: "We have confidence and are playing well, so we know we can be up there at the top. We know it is a long race and must keep going.
"It is still too soon to be thinking in those terms about other teams. There are too many games, in league and cups, and many things can happen. But things are very positive. We were top before and we wanted to be top again. The win over West Brom put us back up at the top and we must continue to put pressure on our rivals.
"We are playing well, scoring goals, but it could be better even though we are pleased."
Benitez is expected to rest several big name players for Wednesday's Carling Cup trip to face revitalised Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. It seems certain that skipper Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Javier Mascherano and keeper Jose Reina will be rested.
Diego Cavalieri, Jermaine Pennant, Lucas, Nabil El Zhar, Andrea Dossena, Ryan Babel, David Ngog and Sami Hyypia are expected to figure in north London.
Benitez will make a late decision on whether Torres continues his comeback with a place in the starting line-up against Harry Redknapp's men.
"He needs games, but we will assess the situation only after a couple more training sessions," Benitez said.
The Liverpool manager struck a note of caution after their 3-0 victory over West Bromich Albion took them well clear of the champions who lost 2-1 to Arsenal. However, Benitez says United, who have a game in hand, are far from out of the title race.
"When the gap is 20 points, then I will relax," he said. "But with just this small difference all I can say is we must keep going all the time and not think about what other teams are doing.
"We were aware before we played West Brom on Saturday that Manchester United had lost, but it was not something that we allowed to effect how we played.
"If you spend the whole time with a calculator considering what others are doing, it will drive you crazy. You must concentrate on what you are doing. United may be trailing us, but we are not looking at what they are doing, only ourselves."
Benitez, who welcomed back striker Fernando Torres after a hamstring injury, added. "Manchester United still have a game in hand and the ability to make up points in just two other games is not that difficult for them.
"But with just this small difference all I can say is we must keep going all the time and not think about what other teams are doing."
He added: "We have confidence and are playing well, so we know we can be up there at the top. We know it is a long race and must keep going.
"It is still too soon to be thinking in those terms about other teams. There are too many games, in league and cups, and many things can happen. But things are very positive. We were top before and we wanted to be top again. The win over West Brom put us back up at the top and we must continue to put pressure on our rivals.
"We are playing well, scoring goals, but it could be better even though we are pleased."
Benitez is expected to rest several big name players for Wednesday's Carling Cup trip to face revitalised Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. It seems certain that skipper Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Javier Mascherano and keeper Jose Reina will be rested.
Diego Cavalieri, Jermaine Pennant, Lucas, Nabil El Zhar, Andrea Dossena, Ryan Babel, David Ngog and Sami Hyypia are expected to figure in north London.
Benitez will make a late decision on whether Torres continues his comeback with a place in the starting line-up against Harry Redknapp's men.
"He needs games, but we will assess the situation only after a couple more training sessions," Benitez said.
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