Benitez still optimistic about title race

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LONDON (Reuters) - Liverpool could still have a say in the Premier League title race after rediscovering their form, manager Rafael Benitez said on Tuesday.

Five consecutive league victories have strengthened Liverpool's grip on fourth place and home and away wins over Inter Milan in the Champions League have changed the mood at Anfield after their FA Cup defeat by Barnsley.

They are eight points behind leaders Manchester United and Arsenal, but have still to play them both, starting with United at Old Trafford on Easter Sunday.

"How near we finish to the top now will be interesting," Benitez told the club's Web site (www.liverpoolfc.tv) on Tuesday. "We have been criticised this season, but let us see where we are in three or four weeks.

"We have important games and if we win them we will be a lot closer. If we can beat Manchester United we will be closer to the top, and that will give us more confidence.

"If we beat Everton after that we will be closer still. Maybe, maybe we can be closer if we don't talk too much about it."

Liverpool have a daunting fixture list in the next few weeks. After United they face Everton at home in the Merseyside derby followed by three consecutive matches against Arsenal, two in the Champions League quarter-final with a league game sandwiched in between.

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