RAFAEL BENITEZ is refusing to monitor the gap between his Liverpool side and champions Manchester United at such an early stage in the title race.

Liverpool have opened up an eight-point lead over United following a flying start to their quest for a first Premier League crown.

Chelsea still top the table on goal difference from Benitez’s side but making their way into the top two at the expense of the Old Trafford outfit has set the perfect tone in terms of Liverpool proving they are genuine title challengers.

They capitalised on United’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday by beating West Bromwich Albion 3-0 later that evening to increase their lead.

But Benitez insists he will go “crazy” if he stops to analyse the mathematical significance of every inch of ground they make on their rivals.

“If you spend the whole time with a calculator considering what others are doing, it will drive you crazy,” said the Anfield manager.

“You must concentrate on what you are doing. United may be trailing us, but we are not looking at what they are doing, only ourselves.

“Manchester United still have a game in hand and the ability to make up points in just two other games is not that difficult for them.

“When the gap is 20 points, then I will relax. But with just this small difference all I can say is we must keep going all the time and not think about what other teams are doing.”

He added: “We have confidence and are playing well, so we know we can be up there at the top. We know it is a long race and must keep going.

“It is still too soon to be thinking in those terms about other teams. There are too many games, in league and cups, and many things can happen.

“But things are very positive. We were top before and we wanted to be top again. The win over West Brom put us back up at the top and we must continue to put pressure on our rivals.

“We are playing well, scoring goals, but it could be better even though we are pleased.”

Benitez will return to the scene of his only defeat so far this season when he travels to White Hart Lane tomorrow to take on Tottenham in the last 16 of the Carling Cup.