Liverpool´s Benayoun pledges fight to the finish

Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun is refusing to throw in the towel in the club’s title battle with Manchester United, despite their failure to overcome Arsenal.

A 4-4 thriller at Anfield on Tuesday evening delighted neutrals but was bitterly disappointing for Liverpool, who have granted United extra room for error in their remaining matches.

“It’s very difficult,” Benayoun acknowledged. “United are a strong side but we won’t give up and we will continue to try and do our best.

“We will keep trying, look to win our remaining matches, and hopefully we can still do it. It was a great game for the supporters to watch but not for us because we made too many mistakes. We should have won the game.”

Benayoun capped an outstanding performance with two goals, including the stoppage time equaliser that prevented Andrey Arshavin’s fourth goal of the night from giving Arsenal victory.

But the Israel captain was left frustrated at what he regards as a missed opportunity.

“In the first half we created four or five really good chances but then they scored with their only shot of the half,” he added.

“We came back strong in the second half and led 2-1. At that point we were controlling the game but we made more mistakes and then when we had to chase it they punished us.

“”We have the best defence in the league and the best goalkeeper too, but I think we didn’t defend well as a team against Arsenal.

“We scored four goals and still didn’t manage to pick up the three points so I think that shows we should have done better.”

Arshavin meanwhile has told Arsenal fans that they have yet to see the best of him — despite his stunning four-goal display at Anfield.

The Russian found the net with every shot he had to leave Gunners supporters wishing he was not ineligible for the Champions League semi-final clash with Manchester United, the first leg of which takes place next week.

“I am a new player, I have to go through my own pre-season and then everything will be better,” the 27-year-old January signing declared.