Rafa Benitez has told his Liverpool players they must win every remaining game to have any chance of catching Manchester United in the title race.
United have moved five points clear of the Reds and can stretch their lead to eight if they beat Blackburn at Old Trafford tomorrow.
Liverpool don't play until Sunday when they face Manchester City at Anfield and Benitez claims they cannot afford to drop any more points.
"Clearly we don't want to lose points so we will try to win every single game," said the Liverpool boss.
"You never know what's going to happen. You can lose points one day and then a few weeks later the other teams lose points. We just have to keep going, think about the next game and winning three points."
Liverpool will not have played for 15 days by the time they take on City and Benitez hopes this break can help rekindle their faltering challenge.
Benitez felt his players were tiring and gave them a few days off after the international break to recharge their batteries.
"We had been playing too many games in a row so it was important for the players to rest and enjoy some time with their families," he said. "We need to be ready for the important weeks ahead.
"We know the City game is massive for us and that's why we have to concentrate totally on it and prepare properly."
Liverpool have been boosted by Steven Gerrard's rapid recovery from his torn hamstring, but Xabi Alonso claims it would be foolish to rush him back.
"It's good to see Stevie coming back, but we have to wait until he is 100 per cent," said Alonso, who is suspended on Sunday. "It's not intelligent to rush him back. Whenever he feels OK, he will be a big part of our squad again."
Whatever happens this season, Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has warned United that they pose a long-term threat to Old Trafford hopes of dominating English football for years to come.
The Dutchman said: "We have players who are just reaching their peak, Steven Gerrard just seems to get better every season.
"We have a lot of young, talented players who have now been at the club a long time."
United have moved five points clear of the Reds and can stretch their lead to eight if they beat Blackburn at Old Trafford tomorrow.
Liverpool don't play until Sunday when they face Manchester City at Anfield and Benitez claims they cannot afford to drop any more points.
"Clearly we don't want to lose points so we will try to win every single game," said the Liverpool boss.
"You never know what's going to happen. You can lose points one day and then a few weeks later the other teams lose points. We just have to keep going, think about the next game and winning three points."
Liverpool will not have played for 15 days by the time they take on City and Benitez hopes this break can help rekindle their faltering challenge.
Benitez felt his players were tiring and gave them a few days off after the international break to recharge their batteries.
"We had been playing too many games in a row so it was important for the players to rest and enjoy some time with their families," he said. "We need to be ready for the important weeks ahead.
"We know the City game is massive for us and that's why we have to concentrate totally on it and prepare properly."
Liverpool have been boosted by Steven Gerrard's rapid recovery from his torn hamstring, but Xabi Alonso claims it would be foolish to rush him back.
"It's good to see Stevie coming back, but we have to wait until he is 100 per cent," said Alonso, who is suspended on Sunday. "It's not intelligent to rush him back. Whenever he feels OK, he will be a big part of our squad again."
Whatever happens this season, Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has warned United that they pose a long-term threat to Old Trafford hopes of dominating English football for years to come.
The Dutchman said: "We have players who are just reaching their peak, Steven Gerrard just seems to get better every season.
"We have a lot of young, talented players who have now been at the club a long time."
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