UPBEAT Rafael Benitez believes the dramatic draw with Arsenal could prove a crucial point as he reiterated Liverpool would not surrender their title ambitions.
Benitez’s side missed a chance to crank up the pressure on leaders Manchester United when they were held 4-4 at home by the Gunners on Tuesday night.
United’s straightforward 2-0 win against Portsmouth 24 hours later means the Old Trafford side lead their North West rivals by three points with a game in hand.
With the champions entertaining Tottenham Hotspur in today’s evening kick-off, Liverpool can temporarily go back to the top of the table with victory at struggling Hull City this afternoon.
And experience of past title run-ins means Benitez is convinced Yossi Benayoun’s injury-time equaliser in midweek could yet prove “crucial” as the race for the championship enters the final month.
“As a manager, when you have experience you know that each point is very, very important,” said the Liverpool manager.
“For me, 3-3 with five minutes to go, with the belief we could score again was the key. To concede again was a big shock for us.
“So to come back again and make it 4-4 was massive in terms of the confidence and what that can do for us. The point could still be crucial at this point of the season.
“After the game everyone was really disappointed. But now the message is clear; to keep going, to keep the belief because you never know what might happen in football. We cannot give up.
“We have to keep going until the end.
“Three points in the next game is the most important thing now, then we can see what happens. That’s the only way.”
Benitez’s side missed a chance to crank up the pressure on leaders Manchester United when they were held 4-4 at home by the Gunners on Tuesday night.
United’s straightforward 2-0 win against Portsmouth 24 hours later means the Old Trafford side lead their North West rivals by three points with a game in hand.
With the champions entertaining Tottenham Hotspur in today’s evening kick-off, Liverpool can temporarily go back to the top of the table with victory at struggling Hull City this afternoon.
And experience of past title run-ins means Benitez is convinced Yossi Benayoun’s injury-time equaliser in midweek could yet prove “crucial” as the race for the championship enters the final month.
“As a manager, when you have experience you know that each point is very, very important,” said the Liverpool manager.
“For me, 3-3 with five minutes to go, with the belief we could score again was the key. To concede again was a big shock for us.
“So to come back again and make it 4-4 was massive in terms of the confidence and what that can do for us. The point could still be crucial at this point of the season.
“After the game everyone was really disappointed. But now the message is clear; to keep going, to keep the belief because you never know what might happen in football. We cannot give up.
“We have to keep going until the end.
“Three points in the next game is the most important thing now, then we can see what happens. That’s the only way.”
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