RAFAEL BENITEZ is convinced Liverpool will thrive on the pressure of leading from the front in the race for the Barclays Premier League crown.

But the Anfield manager has admitted there is no margin for error as his team look to stave off the threat of Manchester United and Chelsea during the second half of the campaign.

Liverpool travel to struggling Stoke City on Saturday looking to maintain their three-point lead at the top of the table.

The Anfield outfit have historically performed better in the second half of a league season under Benitez, whose hand has been strengthened in the past fortnight by the return to fitness of Fernando Torres, Fabio Aurelio and Martin Skrtel.

And the Spaniard believes that with Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano coming back into form, Liverpool will provide a formidable challenge for their title rivals.

“I believe we can still improve,” said Benitez.

“Skrtel has not been playing, Mascherano in the last few games has been playing much better but before he was not at the level we know. Gerrard now is improving. We have Torres to come back too now.

“You look at someone like Lucas who has done well. I think we will have more options in the second half of the season and more competition for each position which can be important.

“Torres just needs minutes on the pitch.

“It is a problem because the team is doing well. Some players you have to keep their momentum, but Aurelio, Skrtel, Torres need to play too.

“To keep the balance will difficult, but we will try to do that. It depends on the games.”