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RAFAEL BENITEZ has challenged his players to end the year with a flourish by strengthening their grip on the Premier League summit.

Benitez’s side maintained their one-point lead over second-placed Chelsea with a 3-1 win at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

For long periods it appeared Liverpool were set for a third successive goalless draw after the recent damaging stalemates at home to Fulham and West Ham United.

But goals in the final quarter from Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benayoun and Steven Gerrard ensured a sixth away league win and continued Liverpool’s best start to a Premier League season.

While admitting there remains much room for improvement, Benitez reckons the victory has demonstrated his side can handle the pressure of being league leaders.

And the Liverpool manager believes the forthcoming hectic festive schedule will determine whether they are constructing a genuine championship challenge.

“I think the message for the rest of the team is that we can still be there at the top,” said Benitez. “That is important for the confidence of the side. If we play well and know what to do then we can win games, it is just a question of time sometimes. We need to keep doing the right things.

“Sometimes a win like this can change the confidence. I think it was important to score three goals.

“For me, we are still not playing at our level, we can play better. It is important for the rest of the season to see players not playing well but the team still winning. If you know the players then you know Mascherano can improve a little bit, Gerrard can improve a little bit, you know that Riera, Keane, Torres can all improve.

“That makes me confident we can stay in the race. Christmas time is a crucial period and if we can keep the team at the top of the table at the end of December why not?”