“We can get back in the title race but we have to start as soon as possible,” says Benitez. “If you can win, one weekend can change everything. But you have to win.
“I think after two defeats in three games, everybody has to be a little bit down. The main thing for me is to react and show we can manage and improve.
“We have all been working very hard, the staff have analysed data and tried to give confidence to the players, and the players have shown in training that they are doing well.
“I expect a backlash from my players. We have enough quality in the squad, and have shown this in the training sessions. We know we can beat anyone. It will be a tough game against a team that needs to win, but we have confidence.”
Benitez adds: “I’m trying to manage the expectations from the very beginning of the season. We have to approach every single game and just look at the three points and don’t think about the title and what might happen if we lose. You can’t do that. You won’t play with the same confidence.
“But I don’t think we’re the only team that has this expectation. Every single club has some pressure. The question is whether you can keep calm and send the right message.
“Our message is clear: we have a good squad, we got 86 points last year, we have to play to the same level as before and we will do.”
Benitez was critical of his more established squad members following the defeat to Villa, but has taken heart from the application of his players on the training ground in the build-up to today’s game.
“I’ve been really pleased with the reaction of the players during training this week,” says the Liverpool manager. “If you need to improve, you need to try and try and try again, and things can be better.
“The players were really good during the week. They were talking and working together, and I’m sure they are the first people that will have been disappointed with the defeat.
“Every training session, we have good intensity. The reaction of the players has been a normal reaction when you talk about good players with a very good mentality.
“When you see the players focused and going into every challenge and playing with more determination, you have to be really pleased.
“We need more at this moment from everyone, the team and the staff. We have to push in the same direction.”
