RAFA: LIVERPOOL STILL IN TITLE HUNT

The Telegraph 03 January 2008

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is confident his side can still mount a challenge for the Premier League title, despite losing further ground to Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea after last night's 1-1 draw against Wigan.

Liverpool have dropped down to fifth position following yesterday's result and Manchester City's 2-0 victory against Newcastle, and are 12 points adrift of pacesetters Arsenal.

However, Benitez believes it is too early to dismiss his side as title candidates, saying: "The gap is bigger than we would like but I have said many times before that this is a long race.

"We have to try to put that out of our minds because if we think about the points difference every time we go out we will be under more pressure.

"Of course it is more difficult to come from behind, but we are creating enough chances in every game.

"We have to start scoring the second goal to kill off games like this. To only get a draw is very disappointing because again we had plenty of possession.

"We had enough chances to finish them off. But when you don't do that there is always the risk the other team will take their chance, even if they only have one attempt."