Benitez backs Alonso to spearhead title push

Rafael Benitez believes Xabi Alonso can inspire Liverpool to win the Premier League title just months after the Spain international came close to leaving the club.

Alonso almost left Anfield in the summer as Benitez desperately sought to raise funds to finance the arrival of Aston Villa's Gareth Barry.

Juventus were among a number of clubs strongly linked to the midfielder but the Barry deal failed to materialise and Alonso remained at Anfield.

He has proved a key figure during Liverpool's charge to the Premier League summit and Alonso once again in influential form as Benitez's side won 2-0 at Bolton on Saturday to keep the pressure on Chelsea, their nearest title rivals, thanks to goals by Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard.

And Benitez believes the player can maintain his high level performances through the rest of the campaign as the Merseyside club chase their first ever Premier League title.

He believes his compatriot is benefitting from having so many good players around him.

“Xabi has played really well this season and he played well again against Bolton,” said Benitez.

“He has more confidence and the players around him are also better players.

“It's easier for a midfielder when he has quality around him. We have (Fernando) Torres, (Robbie) Keane, Gerrard and (Javier) Mascherano around him.

“He's playing really well.”

Liverpool defeated Bolton without playing well and there might have been a different outcome had the hosts not had a goal disallowed when Liverpool were leading 1-0.

Gary Cahill thought he had equalised on the stroke of half time but referee Rob Styles ruled it out after adjudging Bolton captain Kevin Nolan to have fouled keeper Jose Reina.

“There is a rule that says the six yard box is for the keeper,” added Benitez.

“If you have three players in front of the keeper he cannot go for the ball.

“They are the rules. They are international rules. I said it when I first came to England. Three players around the keeper is a free-kick.”

Benitez's comments baffled Bolton manager Gary Megson.

“I must have missed that rule when it came out,” said Megson. “Kevin Nolan did nothing but stand his ground and get shoved.

“I certainly didn't expect that goal to be ruled out.”

Fernando Torres was forced to make do with a place on the substitutes bench despite declaring himself fully fit after his recent hamstring problems.

But Benitez insisted that the former Atletico Madrid striker would return to the starting line-up in the not-too-distant future.

“Torres looked good when he came on but he is still not back to his peak yet,” the Spaniard said.

Benitez claimed the relative ease with which Liverpool had seen off Bolton was vindication of his decision to field a second string side in the midweek League Cup defeat by Tottenham.

“Everyone knows we want to win every game and every competition, but for us the league is the priority so we cannot stay thinking about the League Cup and if we win the league we'll be very happy,” he said.

“We had two or three chances in the first half, so as you know it's always important to get the second goal.

“We're a little disappointed (not to have scored more) but the second goal was crucial and it could have been three or four at the end.”

Alonso insisted Liverpool would not get carried away by their impressive start to the season.

“It is important (to be top) but we know that we have to carry on like this to have a chance at the end of the season,” he said. “We are not arrogant, we respect all the opponents but we are confident. We are scoring goals and trying to improve in defence.”

“We could have won by three or four but the most important thing was to get the three points. We have to carry on this type of performance away from home.”