Pellegrino: Reds can relight title fire

The Anfield club's first-team coach dismisses the notion they are out of the race as almost a third of the fixtures have still to be played.

Yet when Liverpool line-up against Manchester City on Sunday they could be eight points adrift of Manchester United.

The leaders host their game in hand against Fulham on Wednesday and then welcome Blackburn to Old Trafford on Saturday.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side are building up a head of steam but Pellegrino - who won La Liga with Valencia (twice) and Barcelona - is adamant the picture could change.

"Everyone in our squad has personality. We have shown in difficult moments this season that we have character," he said.

"We have a very good squad - all of them are very professional. I think the players are strong enough.

"They have to prove something in every single game but I am not worried about the pressure. For me, the best thing you can do in professional sport is fight for titles.

"I am sure we can get to the last two or three weeks and still have possibilities. In the end, the difference between first and second will be the small details.

"For me, the most important thing is to stay calm. We have to think about the next game, not the last game in May."

Asked if he was confident manager Rafael Benitez would eventually end Liverpool's long wait for a title, Pellegrino added: "Why not?

"We can't predict the future but I am sure that Rafa is one of the best trainers in the world and he is here at Liverpool.

"I am really happy here because the atmosphere at Melwood is very good. The most important thing is that Rafa is open minded.

"He listens to the opinions of every one of his staff, and he's also a hard worker."Scarborough 33 7 6 4 26 21 5 5 6 19 22 47 2 01 Woking 34 4 8 5 23 23 7 4 6 21 23 45 -2 01 Boston Utd 36 7 7 4 31 23 2 8 8 24 30 42 2 01 Nuneaton 33 7 4 5 24 19 3 7 7 19 31 41 -7 01 Morecambe 30 7 5 4 29 19 3 4 7 23 21 39 12 01 Dover 34 7 5 5 29 20 3 4 10 17 30 39 -4 01 Northwich 35 7 6 5 26 19 2 5 10 13 36 38 -16 01 Hayes 37 4 4 10 19 29 6 3 10 19 39 37 -30 01 Forest Green 34 5 6 6 25 27 2 5 10 10 25 32 -17 01 Kingstonian 31 3 3 10 14 32 5 2 8 23 25 29 -20 01 Kettering 34 2 5 10 14 29 4 4 9 19 28 27 -24 01 Hednesford 35 2 5 10 20 27 3 6 9 22 44 26 -29