Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun believes the competition in the Barclays Premier League is shaping up to be tougher than ever.
While the Israel international is frustrated at his side losing two of their opening three games, he insists they can mount a challenge as the other top teams will drop points.
Liverpool are aiming to bounce back from the home defeat by Aston Villa when they face Bolton at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.
It has always been an unpopular venue for manager Rafael Benitez but Benayoun is just focussing on the challenge in hand.
He said: "I feel the big four will lose more points than expected as other teams are now stronger and Villa have proved they can beat anyone.
"I am sure Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal will have tough games against the likes of Villa, Manchester City and Tottenham. Hopefully, at the end of the season we will still be there."
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Benayoun has been making a lot of interviews and comments lately, and they are all about the same tone and the same words. I wonder if it is not an agreed thing with the Liverpool stuff and management panel..
It's tough at the top - Benayoun ???? How the hell would he know?
its all a load of rubbish
Lucas need only 40min per game to be good,gerrard to take his place, use torres and kuyt up front to be replaced by voronin/babel, babbel should play at least 30 min per game, start with benayoun and riera with usual team, as for the defenders i wonder why if we are beaten it has to be a set pieces! it's game i agree but most goals are similar, i was able to predict goal no 2 for villa and i am nowhere to a coach knowledge let alone a player, i just like the game.
defenders pls get stronger jump high and with required strength.
players, manager and staff, just know you need fight harder for tittle
I am never one to subscribe to the negative1 I will simply call it as I see it and the fact is.. the players were all below par in that game. gerrard and torres were huge culprits. they grew used to the good service of alonso, but we don't have that anymore, and they must realize the team must adjust. they must change their game.
they started well but as they do so often, they lose composure after 20 minutes of frustration. they don't have the nerve to keep plugging away until the goal comes like chelsea or united would do! though; I would like to see gerrard back in centre mid with mascherano and torres and kuyt playing up top. with 2 proper wide players.
we have babel, benayoun, riera (where has he been?) and even dossena can play wide left, as he seems more comfortable going forward than anything else!
ultimately though, the manager gives instructions (not saying they are perfect, but can it ever be?) but, the players don't seem to be getting it done.
The thing is too, Benitez says the more experienced players need to step it up. Have a word they should all be the same. Gerrard was trying to do to much against Villa. Thats why he gave away a penalty. Benitez cracks me up. He needs to stop talking @#$% and listen to the fans for once.. Let Carragher be manager he will do a good job..;0)
Number 9 spot on. Why employ someone who is injured. Not sure how long he has signed for but say he has signed for 2 years. Why pay someone wages to be off. Just doesn't make any sense. Plus why loan out strikers when its clear we need them. What is going on?
How long shall it be before those with the authority at Liverpool tell Benitez to wise up OR just go! He must be the only person employed at Liverpool who thinks that Lucas has any ability - everyone else, including every Liverpool supporter can see that he is the equivalent of 10 pounds of Sh*%e in a five pound bag!
Furthermore, if Nemeth is not good enough, even taking into consideration the current lack of depth throughout the squad and injuries etc - then SELL HIM!
Is it just me or does anyone else think that buying a replacement for Alonso at £20 million, who is injured and won't play until October (assuming all goes well and taking into considerstion that he was injured for the last three seasons for his previous club)is a good piece of business - NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One has to question this transfer and remove those that authorised/allowed it!
Rafael Benitez: "Our new Winger cost five million. I call him our wonder player"
Sir Alex Ferguson: "Why's that?"
Rafael Benitez: "Everytime he plays I wonder why I bothered to buy him!"
its up to liverpool to adopt the same mindset as the great teams of the 70s and 80s forget about the games that have gone and just concentrate on the future.john
Lucas is the best player we have,we must,at anycost KEEP HIM. (GLORY GLORY!!) haha
Gerrard has to play in place of lucas until this new Italian fella gets fit,so torres can get some decent supply,pair torres with babel or ungog,anyone,just replace lucas!! Pleassseee!!
YNWA
I feel Lucas is never going to be a world class player like Xabi Alonso! I do wish we could buy another striker to help Torres out but the yank owners have tied the purse stings so tight the moths cant escape!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lucas should be dropped. Simply not good enough.
It's tough at the top - Benayoun ???? How the hell would he know?
To be fair he has a point. This season could see a fairly low points total winning the prem rather than the record totals in recent years (last season record 2nd place & 3rd place points i think).
10 years ago you could afford to lose more games and win the league with around 80 points!
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