Rafael Benitez _300

RAFAEL BENITEZ has urged his Liverpool players to keep believing they can win the title – as he allayed fears over Xabi Alonso’s fitness.

The Anfield outfit kept up the pressure on leaders Manchester United with a comfortable 3-0 home win over relegation-threatened Newcastle United.

First-half goals from Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt were added to three minutes from time by substitute Lucas’s first-ever league goal.

Liverpool remain three points behind United having played a game more, and with only three fixtures remaining this season. Benitez admitted his team could have won by more yesterday but reiterated they must be ready to capitalise on any slip-ups from United.

“It was a good game, but it could have been better because we had a lot of chances, but it is positive because we scored three and kept a clean sheet,” said the Liverpool manager.

“I’m disappointed because we had chances to score more of course, but pleased by the result because it means we are closer to United and still pushing. We have to keep the belief.

“We have to hope they make two big mistakes and we will see if they do because they are under a lot of pressure now.

“I didn’t want to make any gestures when we went 2-0 up because we know it is not enough.

“We knew that mentally they would have problems if we scored the first goal but even after the second they were still working very hard, so it was key to score the third goal as soon as we could.

“The performance was good, but the win was the most important thing.”