Benitez: Everyone can beat everyone
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Fewer points mean prizes - Benitez
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes the Premier League title will be won with fewer points this season than last year.
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Benitez claims the competition throughout the top flight is getting tougher by the week.
And that, he feels, is down to fellow managers raising the bar and making it tougher for the big clubs.
Liverpool are currently in pole position, despite having to settle for a point from a goal-less draw against Stoke at the weekend.
However by the time they come to face Everton on Monday in the Merseyside derby, Manchester United could have overtaken them at the top.
The reigning champions entertain Wigan on Wednesday and then face Bolton at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.
United won their second successive title with a total of 87 points and Benitez does not think that figure will be beaten in May.
He told the club's website: "There is not much of a points difference between a lot of teams. That means everyone can beat everyone.
"The managers are working better and the players understand the game more. Players know how to play against you in every game. That makes it more difficult.
"It could be that it takes fewer points to win the title because you can lose games you expect to win. This could be the situation at the end of the season."
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Your Comments
karthi (Manchester United fan)
"somebody please shut Rafa up!!!.. beginning to sound more like an italian operaa... laa laaa... laaa"
redman76 (Wigan Athletic fan)
"Rafa, a very well timed 'mind game'. Especially when Manur have two games before our next game. Excellent!"
t_g (Manchester United fan)
"He then went on and mentioned that "... - fact - Ferguson has made the other contenders get less points so that United will be champions again - not mind games but facts. Do you want a side order of rice with that?" "
bilalhouri (Manchester United fan)
"Rafa, seriously, play some football for God's sake and stop acting like you know what you're talking about!"
wbabrummyroad (West Bromwich Albion fan)
"I like Rafa, but lately his been making some rediculous comments. I agree with Ricks comments"
kopite212 (Liverpool fan)
"Keep talking Rob - keep talking! the more you comment on Liverpool, the sweeter it will be when we end your season within a week. When will the fans of your small time, nothing club realise that no matter how much you talk about us, you will always be in our shadow! If I was you, I'd be more concerned with how far you've fallen behind Villa. Us? top of the league, still in Champs League, about to knock your shower out of the F.A cup, Rafa can say what he likes, you on the other hand?"
manicss01 (Liverpool fan)
"What the hell are you all on about, 'Stop Talking'? A) It was a press conference - take a guess at what you do in them. B) He was asked 'Do you think the PL is tougher this year? - Take a guess at how that inspired his answer. C) Nothing he has said is absurd or untrue - its noted by everybody in the game and is a valid point. SAF made the exact same point after their stoke game - that its harder against all of the teams in the PL now, and you must work for every single result. He also said he expects alot of points to be dropped by the top four cause of the Utd-Stoke type of games."
redtbc (Manchester United fan)
"Is Rafa implying that he doesn't have to win that many games in order to win the title? Sure Rafa, you can continue that philosophy but I'm sure United will be targeting more than that! Or...maybe he is trying to justify the games he could have won but didn't due to his bizarre team selections?? "
Devilz_4Life (Manchester United fan)
"Rafa need's to see who won the League last season and the season before that and which manager was in-charge of the winning team... Unless Man Utd won the league with 87pts is because the FA gave them those points or Gill bought Utd the success? I would think this is what Benitez is implying... I hope Gill is doing his job this season buying Man Utd the league title just like he did each time Utd won the league... Bring on Liverpool, I can't with to shut this guy up with his baseless accusations"
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