The Anfield saying "First is first, second is nowhere" was doing the rounds when Rafael Benítez was playing for Real Madrid's reserves. However, while not conceding the race to Manchester United, the Liverpool manager insisted that even if his team do not win the title, the seasons in which they finished hopelessly adrift of the champions are over.
In 2005 the gap was 37 points; in 2007 it was 21. Last year it was 11. "It is not just winning, although that is the most important thing," Benítez said yesterday. "Liverpool need to be in the top four all the time. If we can keep the spine of this team and perform at the same level, we can be there.
"You cannot be 20 points behind and then try to win the title. We have to use the experience we gained this year and then try to fight for every single point. Yes, you want to win trophies if you want to be totally happy, but the performance of the team has been good."
As ever, it is the details that frustrate Benítez and not just in the Premier League. "We lost to Everton in the FA Cup with 10 players and conceded a goal after 118 minutes. Against Chelsea in the Champions League, we drew 4-4 and were on top for long periods. But people have been saying that if Liverpool want to win the league, then we have to be really consistent – and we have been. If Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres had been [consistently] fit, we would be better off."
Both will start against Newcastle on Sunday and, given that Liverpool's remaining fixtures are more obviously straightforward than United's, Benítez has not given up hope of catching Sir Alex Ferguson at the death. "If we keep winning our games, we will have a chance," Benítez said. "Manchester United's games against City and Arsenal are very difficult. Middlesbrough, as we know, is difficult for them. Hull away is not easy."
Benítez said he was already preparing for next season. Daniel Agger, who had been strongly linked to a move to Milan, is expected to sign a new contract imminently, while Javier Mascherano has already rejected one offer from an unnamed Premier League club. "I have had a conversation with Mascherano this morning and he wants to stay. He has already said no to one big club – a good side," Benítez said.
"He wants to stay but he cannot stop big clubs asking about him. As for Agger, if you go into the market to find a replacement at his level, you would have to pay big, big money. When he is fit, he is one of the best centre-backs in the country."
