LONDON: Rafael Benitez refused to write off Liverpool's chances of winning the Premier League this season despite watching his side fall six points behind leaders Chelsea after a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

"Our target now has to be the next game. Every game is important. We have to keep calm and work hard," he said.

"This year the top sides will lose games but you have to try to improve and we will try to win against Sunderland next.

"When the teams at the top of the table drop points and you win, it is better, but we have to keep winning games and stay as strong as possible and see what happens.

"It is my opinion you will see top sides losing more games this season. It is good for the Premier League and it means we have to keep calm.

"We drew a lot of games last season too, we will now try to win and if we have more wins than draws, we could end with the same amount of points."

Despite the defeat, Benitez said he had few complaints about the performance of his players and admitted they could simply not find a way past the Chelsea defense.

He said: "The performance was not bad. We were playing a very good team in Chelsea.

"We had some chances and you have to take them if you want to change the situation.

"We are playing Chelsea, do you expect teams to have 20 attempts? I don't think so. We had attacks but could not score because they are good defenders.

"I was really pleased for 90 percent of the time but to win you have to have it almost perfect, I was happy with the team effort."

AFP

(China Daily 10/06/2009 page12)