Rafael Benitez has warned that it is too early to write off Liverpool's Barclays Premier League title chances.
The Liverpool manager believes his side can build on last month's 3-2 victory over Bolton Wanderers by embarking on an unbeaten run in the league. Liverpool lost two of their opening three matches, but Steven Gerrard's late winner secured a 3-2 victory at the Reebok Stadium and Benitez is backing his side to build on that victory.
"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," Benitez said. "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 added: "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."
Burnley are next up for Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and Owen Coyle's side have already raised eyebrows by beating Manchester United and Everton this season.
"Burnley are a good team and have a very good group of players who know each other very well," Benitez said. "When you see a new team in the Premier League playing the way they are, it shows the manager is doing a good job and it will be a tough game, like always in the league.
"They have beaten Manchester United and Everton and that shows they are doing well, so you never know - anything can happen in football. We have a lot of confidence and are sure we can win, but I think that maybe they will feel they can get some points too."
The Liverpool manager believes his side can build on last month's 3-2 victory over Bolton Wanderers by embarking on an unbeaten run in the league. Liverpool lost two of their opening three matches, but Steven Gerrard's late winner secured a 3-2 victory at the Reebok Stadium and Benitez is backing his side to build on that victory.
"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," Benitez said. "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 added: "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."
Burnley are next up for Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and Owen Coyle's side have already raised eyebrows by beating Manchester United and Everton this season.
"Burnley are a good team and have a very good group of players who know each other very well," Benitez said. "When you see a new team in the Premier League playing the way they are, it shows the manager is doing a good job and it will be a tough game, like always in the league.
"They have beaten Manchester United and Everton and that shows they are doing well, so you never know - anything can happen in football. We have a lot of confidence and are sure we can win, but I think that maybe they will feel they can get some points too."
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