Rafael Benitez admits Liverpool were hit hard by the two early-season defeats which instantly halted all title talk on Merseyside.
Liverpool were beaten by Tottenham and Aston Villa in the opening three Barclays Premier League games, and Benitez said: "It was hard to take when we lost two games so quickly.
"But now if we can, say, win five in a row and other teams drop a few points then we will all be in the same position. Let's see how it all develops.
"There will be important games now for everyone, more difficult games maybe than before. We cannot influence that and there are four of the big teams playing each other this weekend."
Benitez has no new injury problems, and has defender Daniel Agger returning to training after a back operation.
The Spanish coach said: "Maybe the division is now shaping up to what we would have expected. We lost two games very early and everyone was saying we could not win the league.
"But this season will be different, it will be much more difficult for the usual top four to win so many games, all the big teams will drop points.
"Manchester City now are genuine contenders, Aston Villa and Spurs will be in the race too, along with the top four from last season.
He added: "Our players are starting to find their form, Dirk Kuyt is scoring, Yossi Benayoun is scoring, and we have started well in Europe.
"It is only a matter of time before Fernando Torres starts to score more regularly."
He added: "We have plenty of options now, most of our players are fit so the choice is good for me when you have more players available.
"It can be a headache, but a nice one with a variety of players to choose from.
"Maybe Fernando is not quite at his best, but we have plenty of others scoring goals.
"But when our top scorer starts scoring more regularly, then we will have a very strong side to put into any game.
"But I am not worried about Fernando. He was very positive in the Champions League match making space and chances for others, and if he can keep doing that will be fine for me."
Liverpool were beaten by Tottenham and Aston Villa in the opening three Barclays Premier League games, and Benitez said: "It was hard to take when we lost two games so quickly.
"But now if we can, say, win five in a row and other teams drop a few points then we will all be in the same position. Let's see how it all develops.
"There will be important games now for everyone, more difficult games maybe than before. We cannot influence that and there are four of the big teams playing each other this weekend."
Benitez has no new injury problems, and has defender Daniel Agger returning to training after a back operation.
The Spanish coach said: "Maybe the division is now shaping up to what we would have expected. We lost two games very early and everyone was saying we could not win the league.
"But this season will be different, it will be much more difficult for the usual top four to win so many games, all the big teams will drop points.
"Manchester City now are genuine contenders, Aston Villa and Spurs will be in the race too, along with the top four from last season.
He added: "Our players are starting to find their form, Dirk Kuyt is scoring, Yossi Benayoun is scoring, and we have started well in Europe.
"It is only a matter of time before Fernando Torres starts to score more regularly."
He added: "We have plenty of options now, most of our players are fit so the choice is good for me when you have more players available.
"It can be a headache, but a nice one with a variety of players to choose from.
"Maybe Fernando is not quite at his best, but we have plenty of others scoring goals.
"But when our top scorer starts scoring more regularly, then we will have a very strong side to put into any game.
"But I am not worried about Fernando. He was very positive in the Champions League match making space and chances for others, and if he can keep doing that will be fine for me."
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