Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has played down their Premiership title prospects.

The Spaniard's best domestic finish is third.

And when quizzed on whether he can end the dominance of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, he admitted: "We are not yet ready at all!

"A Premier League season is very long and we now have a tough game coming up at Chelsea, which will show where we are headed.

"To win the title you have to do well against your direct rivals - we failed to do that last year."

He continued: "It goes without saying that it will be difficult against Chelsea if they take the lead. But we will take the right conclusions from the games against Manchester City and Wigan.

"It would be nice for our fans if we could lead by two or three goals at the break and they could enjoy the match.

"If it continues like this I will have to seek a neurologist - I don't like these late comebacks.

"Yet we demonstrated the will to win. The will makes us strong!"