Rafa Benitez has warned the critics expecting Liverpool to implode that they are going to be disappointed.
Liverpool hold a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League, but Manchester United are the bookies favourites to win the title in May.
Benitez believes his side will be stronger in the second half of the season having endured injuries to key players Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel, plus the return from a long-term lay-off of star striker Fernando Torres.
All that, according to Benitez, points to a major improvement from his club on the run-in. "We will have more options in the second half of the season and more competition for each position," he said.
"I believe we can improve. We have Torres to come back, Skrtel has not been playing, Javier Mascherano in the last few games has been playing much better but before he was not at the level we know. Gerrard now is improving.
"This will all make us stronger. Clearly we are in a much better position than in past seasons."
Indeed, Benitez believes that his biggest problem may be finding space for Torres in the side.
Liverpool desperately want their top scorer back in action but the Anfield boss knows he must be clever to ensure that it is a seamless transition.
"Torres just needs minutes on the pitch, but that is a problem because the team is doing well," he said.
"Some players you have to keep their momentum. But Aurelio, Skrtel and Torres need to play too. So to keep the balance will be difficult.
"We are doing what we did before and analysing all the same details, the difference is now that you know if you make a mistake it can be massive, so you have to consider everything."
Benitez is so confident his side will improve in 2009 that he refuses to rush headlong into the January transfer market.
He has been linked with a host of top players but it is likely, if he makes any purchases at all, it will be a modest one with former Anfield star Emile Heskey still top of his list.
And the Spanish coach insisted he does not want to upset his squad with big-name arrivals.
"Always it is difficult to buy in January. If you bring in new players then they need to settle down and they need time," he said.
"If you sell players then maybe you will lose something. We don't have any clubs asking for our players.
"It is important to keep the squad together - you cannot guarantee that you won't sell anyone or sign anyone - we have to see how things are as we go on."
Liverpool revealed that Xabi Alonso could have recovered from the foot injury which required seven stitches after the weekend FA Cup victory at Preston for Saturday's trip to Stoke.
Liverpool hold a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League, but Manchester United are the bookies favourites to win the title in May.
Benitez believes his side will be stronger in the second half of the season having endured injuries to key players Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel, plus the return from a long-term lay-off of star striker Fernando Torres.
All that, according to Benitez, points to a major improvement from his club on the run-in. "We will have more options in the second half of the season and more competition for each position," he said.
"I believe we can improve. We have Torres to come back, Skrtel has not been playing, Javier Mascherano in the last few games has been playing much better but before he was not at the level we know. Gerrard now is improving.
"This will all make us stronger. Clearly we are in a much better position than in past seasons."
Indeed, Benitez believes that his biggest problem may be finding space for Torres in the side.
Liverpool desperately want their top scorer back in action but the Anfield boss knows he must be clever to ensure that it is a seamless transition.
"Torres just needs minutes on the pitch, but that is a problem because the team is doing well," he said.
"Some players you have to keep their momentum. But Aurelio, Skrtel and Torres need to play too. So to keep the balance will be difficult.
"We are doing what we did before and analysing all the same details, the difference is now that you know if you make a mistake it can be massive, so you have to consider everything."
Benitez is so confident his side will improve in 2009 that he refuses to rush headlong into the January transfer market.
He has been linked with a host of top players but it is likely, if he makes any purchases at all, it will be a modest one with former Anfield star Emile Heskey still top of his list.
And the Spanish coach insisted he does not want to upset his squad with big-name arrivals.
"Always it is difficult to buy in January. If you bring in new players then they need to settle down and they need time," he said.
"If you sell players then maybe you will lose something. We don't have any clubs asking for our players.
"It is important to keep the squad together - you cannot guarantee that you won't sell anyone or sign anyone - we have to see how things are as we go on."
Liverpool revealed that Xabi Alonso could have recovered from the foot injury which required seven stitches after the weekend FA Cup victory at Preston for Saturday's trip to Stoke.
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