Liverpool have endured a sluggish start to the season, spurring widespread speculation that the Reds are already out of the title running.
A dramatic late 3-2 win against Bolton Wanderers, thanks to another timely Steven Gerrard thunderbolt, is just the momentum-changer that manager Rafael Benitez believes his club needed.
"The team as a team has not played at the level we can, but hopefully the win against Bolton will be a lift for us," the boss said in his weekly press conference at Melwood.
"When you are not doing well you always need character - and the players showed character against Bolton.
"We controlled the game and although we conceded two goals, we scored three and came from behind to win. That is very positive and hopefully it will be a different situation for us now."
Asked what he felt the reason was behind Liverpool's mixed start to the campaign, Benitez replied: "Two things. One was expectation - when we finished last season with 86 points, I think everybody was expecting this year to be ours.
"But the message is always the same - we have to think about one game at a time, try to get three points and then see what our position is each week.
"You cannot win titles in September, so you have to go to January and see where you are, and then April and May is when you will fight.
"The other thing was that pre-season was difficult with a lot of players returning at different times.
"We tried to manage the situation and then we had another international break, so we didn't have too much time. Then we started against Tottenham, who are doing well, so it was difficult."
Tipped by many to win the Premier League, the faltering Reds have fallen victim to what Benitez sees as a much more competitive league this season.
"The teams at the top fighting can beat anyone, so I think you will see some top teams lose games," he said.
A dramatic late 3-2 win against Bolton Wanderers, thanks to another timely Steven Gerrard thunderbolt, is just the momentum-changer that manager Rafael Benitez believes his club needed.
"The team as a team has not played at the level we can, but hopefully the win against Bolton will be a lift for us," the boss said in his weekly press conference at Melwood.
"When you are not doing well you always need character - and the players showed character against Bolton.
"We controlled the game and although we conceded two goals, we scored three and came from behind to win. That is very positive and hopefully it will be a different situation for us now."
Asked what he felt the reason was behind Liverpool's mixed start to the campaign, Benitez replied: "Two things. One was expectation - when we finished last season with 86 points, I think everybody was expecting this year to be ours.
"But the message is always the same - we have to think about one game at a time, try to get three points and then see what our position is each week.
"You cannot win titles in September, so you have to go to January and see where you are, and then April and May is when you will fight.
"The other thing was that pre-season was difficult with a lot of players returning at different times.
"We tried to manage the situation and then we had another international break, so we didn't have too much time. Then we started against Tottenham, who are doing well, so it was difficult."
Tipped by many to win the Premier League, the faltering Reds have fallen victim to what Benitez sees as a much more competitive league this season.
"The teams at the top fighting can beat anyone, so I think you will see some top teams lose games," he said.
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