Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is
confident they will close the gap on Premier League champions
Manchester United.
The Spaniard, who finally feels he has the control he needs at
the club after signing a new contract in March, believes last
season has laid the foundations for a new era at Anfield.
United claimed an 18th top-flight title to draw level with
Liverpool, who came closer than they have ever done to ending their
19-year championship drought.
Benitez's side lost just twice and finished with 86 points -
which was four behind their arch-rivals and their best Premier
League return. The Spaniard, who celebrates five years in charge on
Tuesday, finally broke his hoodoo over United with two league
victories and senses a change in fortunes.
"If you analyse the number of points you see it's a record for
the club in the Premier League," he said. "We are going forward, we
are progressing. For the future this is good news and hopefully
this is the beginning of something important.
"In terms of the consistency of the team we've been really good.
The squad is better, the mentality is very good and the players are
competing for their positions."
PA Sport / Eurosport
