We're not out of title race yet, claims Liverpool's Benitez

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With Manchester City increasing the pressure on Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce with a victory at St James' Park, Benitez's faltering team forfeited their place in the top four and found themselves 12 points adrift of pacesetters Arsenal.

Benitez looked suitably downcast as he reflected on further frustration for his side in the wake of Sunday's goalless draw against City at Eastlands, but insisted it was too early to dismiss them as title candidates.

'I am really disappointed, because this was another game where we had plenty of possession and lots of chances but just needed a bit of luck,' he said.

'The gap is getting bigger at the top. There is no getting away from that, and playing catch-up is not ideal.

'That always makes it more difficult, but you have to keep in mind that it is a long race. You have to concentrate on each game.

'If you start thinking about the difference in points, you will just create even more pressure for yourselves.

'We knew they would be strong in the air, and that if they got a set-piece like the one they scored from, we would have to clear our lines.

'But that was not the problem. We should already have scored a second goal by then and made the game safe.'

Benitez defended his policy of using top scorer Torres as a lone striker, with Jermaine Pennant and Harry Kewell on the flanks.

'The idea was to play with wingers to stretch them and give Steven Gerrard the chance to get forward into the box.'