Rafa: No slip-ups allowed - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Rafa: No slip-ups allowed

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez warned his side must maintain their momentum if they are going to snatch the league title from under Manchester United's noses.

Benitez witnessed the 5-0 demolition of 10-man Aston Villa at Anfield that sees the Reds close to within one point of the champions, who have a game in hand.

He said: "As far as the title chase is concerned, we just have to keep doing our job, we must not be concerned about United's results and how they are playing."

Steven Gerrard scored a dead-ball hat-trick while Albert Riera and Dirk Kuyt added the others as Liverpool made it three stunning wins in 12 days having beaten Manchester United and Real Madrid 4-1 and 4-0 respectively.

Benitez added: "If United do make mistakes, we must be ready, and that means carrying on doing what we are doing and winning points.

"We are playing well and they will see that we are playing well and trying to win every game. We have eight games left and every one must be won and be treated as a cup final.

"Certainly we must maintain this momentum and, when we are playing well, it just increases confidence.

"We now have an international break so the players must come back from that, re-group and start playing again just as we are at the moment."

Sport in brief in Pictures

Don't Miss
Dog save the Queen: Corgis surge in popularity

Dog save the Queen

Corgis surge in popularity
London gets ready for the Diamond Jubilee - in pictures

Diamond Jubilee

London gets ready - in pictures
'He’s a better ex than he was a husband', says Boris Johnson's ex wife

A better ex than husband

We talk to Boris Johnson's ex wife
TV Baftas - in pictures

Best of the Baftas

Stars on the red, white and blue carpet
You big softie: Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?

You big softie

Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?
Pop star Paloma Faith, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video

Gay marriage

Pop star, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music

Grandpa Bob

Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London