April and May is when you fight - Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez

Liverpool have endured a sluggish start to the season, spurring widespread speculation that the Reds are already out of the title running.

A dramatic late 3-2 win against Bolton Wanderers, thanks to another timely Steven Gerrard thunderbolt, is just the momentum-changer that manager Rafael Benitez believes his club needed.

"The team as a team has not played at the level we can, but hopefully the win against Bolton will be a lift for us," the boss said in his weekly press conference at Melwood.

"When you are not doing well you always need character - and the players showed character against Bolton.

"We controlled the game and although we conceded two goals, we scored three and came from behind to win. That is very positive and hopefully it will be a different situation for us now."

Asked what he felt the reason was behind Liverpool's mixed start to the campaign, Benitez replied: "Two things. One was expectation - when we finished last season with 86 points, I think everybody was expecting this year to be ours.

"But the message is always the same - we have to think about one game at a time, try to get three points and then see what our position is each week.

"You cannot win titles in September, so you have to go to January and see where you are, and then April and May is when you will fight.

"The other thing was that pre-season was difficult with a lot of players returning at different times.

"We tried to manage the situation and then we had another international break, so we didn't have too much time. Then we started against Tottenham, who are doing well, so it was difficult."

Tipped by many to win the Premier League, the faltering Reds have fallen victim to what Benitez sees as a much more competitive league this season.

"The teams at the top fighting can beat anyone, so I think you will see some top teams lose games," he said.

On Saturday Liverpool will host Burnley, who will be full of confidence after victories over Manchester United and Everton.


"Burnley are a good team and have a very good group of players who know each other very well," said the former Valencia coach.

"When you see a new team in the Premier League playing the way they are, it shows the manager is doing a good job and it will be a tough game, like always in the Premier League.

"They have beaten Manchester United and Everton and that shows they are doing well, so you never know - anything can happen in football.

"We have a lot of confidence and are sure we can win, but I think that maybe they will feel they can get some points too."

The Spaniard was asked about his thoughts on England's World Cup chances in South Africa. Liverpool's Three Lions stars Gerrard and Glen Johnson have combined for four of the Reds' nine Premier League goals this term, and Benitez took a moment to defend his new £18 million full-back.

"I think there are three or four countries who have the power and the quality to win the World Cup, and England are one of those teams," said Benitez.

"Glen has been really good for us since the very first day and also for England. You can see his offensive mentality and his crossing is really good.

"I was surprised to see some criticism the other day. He is a very good player. He can improve and he knows this - he is someone who is keen to learn.

"He is so good attacking that sometimes it is [more] difficult for the defenders of the other team to stop him than it is for him to be worried about the defence.

"He can improve in defence, but he is a decent defender and very good at attacking. He has a very good balance and his understanding of the game is good."

Gerrard's double against Croatia on Wednesday came from his makeshift position on the left on midfield - but Benitez believes his captain is good enough to operate in any role.

"I have been for talking about Steven's best position for years, but he is a very good player who can play in any position," he said.

"He is doing well for England on the left and if he plays in the middle or as a second striker he will be good too.

"In playing Gerrard on the left, I think Steven knows he has freedom and can go inside.

"Capello is doing a fantastic job and he has a very good team who are organised."