Source: Telegraph
Liverpool can still win it says Rafael Benitez
Tim Cahill's late equaliser earned Everton a deserved draw in the 209th Merseyside derby and robbed Liverpool of a victory that would have sent them two points clear at the Premier League summit.[LNB]It was Liverpool's second draw in a row since Benitez's rant at Sir Alex Ferguson, a period in which United have managed three victories in succession and wiped out the Anfield side's lead, despite having played one game fewer.[LNB]Of more concern to Benitez will be the fact that Everton are the fifth side to leave the red side of Stanley Park with a point already this season, gifts Liverpool can scarcely afford to give away as the title race gathers momentum. But the Liverpool manager is bullish that, with the likes of Fernando Torres still short of match fitness, his side will get better.[LNB]He said: "We still believe we can challenge and we still believe we can win it. Our performances will get better because we have many players coming back from injury and they will improve.[LNB]"In August, if you had asked the fans if they wanted to be in this position, still in the Champions League, with a Cup game next week and level on points with United at the top of the table, they would all have said yes.[LNB]"I said to the players after the game that we have to look at the positives, even though that is difficult when everyone is so disappointed. We are in a good position. It could be better, but it is still a good position." [LNB]Whether that would have been improved had Benitez resisted the temptation to spend the last two weeks embroiled in a war of words with Ferguson, United chief executive David Gill, his own board and anyone else who has crossed his path recently is a moot point.[LNB]The Spaniard clearly does not believe his recent belligerence has had any effect on his players, although some inside Anfield last night may care to disagree. Taking into account the tension inherent in derbies, Liverpool's players seemed consumed with self-doubt, hardly the calling card of a side usually so resolute and unflappable.[LNB]Passes went astray and all composure disappeared. The normally reliable Pepe Reina flapped at crosses, Albert Riera thumped the ground in despair as the pressure of the title race, and the need to produce a performance to dispel the air of uncertainty, made itself plain.[LNB]Moyes admitted his side's plan had been to exploit that nervousness. It was a plan they executed to perfection.[LNB]He said: "They have a lot of mechanical moves and we wanted to disrupt their harmony. When they get going they have a very good rhythm. But the fact that we came here and gave them a good game says more about Everton than it does about them.[LNB]"We were disappointed with their goal, because we switched off for two minutes and Liverpool took advantage.[LNB]"But it was the right result from our point of view. It's another point against a team challenging for the title and looking for top players to do that. Everton aren't doing that and it shows how far we have come that we can get a point." [LNB]
